Wildlife safety week: Haryana government starts scheme for 'adoption' of wild animals

CHANDIGARH: On the occasion of ' Wildlife Safety Week', Haryana government has started a scheme for adoption of wild animals in zoos and deer parks for their conservation and protection.

"Awareness would be created among people for adoption of wild animals in zoos and deer parks," an official spokesperson said here today.

During the 'Wildlife Safety Week' which is being observed from October 1 to 7, the Forest Department has decided to organise a number of programmes through which people would be motivated for conservation conservation of wild animals, he said.

Self Help Groups would be constituted for participation of women in wildlife conservation, which would also increase their income, the spokesperson said.

"During 'Wildlife Safety Week', everyone should pledge to conserve wildlife. There is a lot of pressure on forest land due to population increase in the state. Forest areas around villages have been turned into agricultural land," he said.

"Forests are inhabited by several types of creatures, which are necessary for maintaining ecological balance," the spokesperson added.

Informing that two National Parks, eight wildlife sanctuaries and two conservation-cum-breeding centres had been set up in the state, he said, zoological parks in Pipli, Rohtak and Bhiwani have been modernised.

"Conservation and breeding centres have been set up for Red Jungle Fowl at Morni and Barwala in Panchkula, Crocodile at Bhor Saidan in Kurukshetra, Chinkara at Kairu in Bhiwani, Peafowl at Jhabua in Rewari and Vulture at Bir Shikargah in Panchkula," the spokesperson said.

He added that Elephant Rehabilitation Centre has been established at Ban Santor in Yamunanagar.