Bihar CM orders conservation of state bird sparrow

Patna: Bihar Chief Nitish Kumar Friday expressed concern over extinction of state bird House Sparrow, and ordered the forest department to launch a special campaign to conserve the bird.

Addressing the meeting of Wild Animal Council, Kumar instructed forest department officials to prepare small wooden nests in government buildings and residences for conservation and breeding of house sparrow.

He asked Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh to monitor drive for conservation of house sparrow, according to an official statement.

Chief Forest Conservator Bashir Ahmad Khan said the meeting, presided over by the Chief Minister, also decided that permission would not be granted to bring elephants from other states.

He said it was decided to send a proposal to the Centre for relaxing provisions for sale and purchase of elephants in the state keeping in view practical problems emerging out of it.

A Save Elephant centre would be established at Barachatti in Gaya district for upkeep of abandoned and sick elephants, he said.

The CM ordered Chief Forest Conservator to allow peacocks roam freely in new capital area in Patna which has plenty of greenery.

He said to facilitate free roaming of peacock, electricity wire has been laid underground.

The meeting decided to set up a Zoo cum Safari at tourist place Rajgir in Nalanda district in an area of 191 hectare.

He ordered forest department officials to acquire permission for the Zoo-cum-Safari at Rajgir from Central Zoo Authority. It would have lion, leopard and deer.

The meeting emphasised on the need to establish a centre for crocodiles to minimise damage from crocodiles which stray in flood plains of Gandak river in Valmiki Tiger Reserve area.

Forest Minister P K Shahi said after seeking permission from the Centre, steps would be taken to remove ban on hunting of wild pigs and nilgai which cause widespread damage to crops in different parts of the state.