Don't understand environment ministry's lust for killing animals: Maneka Gandhi

Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Thursday accused Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar of encouraging a regime of "killing animals" across the country.

However, Javadekar defended his ministry and said that "such permissions are given on the recommendation of state governments".

Maneka Gandhi also said that she could not understand the environment ministry's "lust for killing animals".

"Environment ministry is writing to every state, asking which animal should be killed and that they will give permission for it," said Gandhi, a well-known animal rights activist.

"In Bengal, they have permitted the killing of elephants, in Himachal Pradesh they have ordered killing of monkeys, and in Goa they gave permission to kill peacocks," she stated.

"In Chandrapur, they have killed 53 wild boars and have given permission to kill 50 more. Even their own wildlife department said that they don't want to kill the animals. I don't understand their lust for killing animals," Gandhi told reporters.

She also held the environment minister responsible for killing animals.

Asked about Prakash Javadekar's role in it, she said: "Now you tell me what could be the role? He only has to give permission. This is the first time environment ministry is giving permission to killing animals."

Responding to the allegations, Javadekar said: "When state governments write to us about farmers' suffering due to crop damage by animals, then such permissions are given. It is on the recommendation of state governments. This is not a central government programme, as it is an existing law."

--IANS

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