Maneka calls for implementation of Gadgil committee report on on Western Ghats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Maneka Gandhi has called for the implementation of Madhav Gadgil Committee report on Western Ghats.

"If you do not save Western Ghats now, we will land in deep trouble," she said during an award ceremony on Sunday in which she presented the Madhavan Pillai Foundation for Conservation award to Vava Suresh. Maneka urged Keralites to support the Gadgil report irrespective of the political biases.

"According to an international survey, out of the five most polluted cities in the world, four are in India. Still we do not learn and go on destroying the nature. People of Kerala should unanimously support and push for the execution of the Gadgil report," she said during her keynote address.

She also talked on street dog menace in the city. "Kerala is the only state which hesitates to obey laws for treating the animals. The word 'menace' is always associated with animals in the state. Sterilization of stray dogs is the solution to tackle their increasing number rather than killing them," she said. Maneka also raised concerns over mistreatment of elephants, bulls, cows and other animals in the state.

Vava Suresh, the famous snake charmer and Mari, protection watcher at the Silent Valley received the awards instituted by the foundation. Vava Suresh was recognized for his decades of experience in saving snakes, including King Cobras.

Suresh, who was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after being bitten by an otter, reached the venue with plastered arms. Seeing this, Maneka suggested that a snake charmer like him should always wear snake handling gloves for safety.