The Goa Forest department today cautioned people against killing frogs for meat during monsoon, claiming that consumption of frogs could cause cancer and heart attacks.
"Massive toxic recalcitrant residues from agrochemicals bi-omagnified in the food chain get accumulated in fat deposits of frogs. Continuous consumption of frogs over a period of time could trigger paralytic strokes, cancer, kidney failure and other deformities," a forest department spokesman said today.
The forest department has initiated a drive against frog poachers as frog meat locally known as "jumping chicken" is a delicacy in this coastal state.
The spokesman said monsoon is the mating, breeding, multiplying and feeding season for many species of frogs.
"It is during this time that they become victims of their greatest predator - human beings," he added.
The department said indiscriminate killing of frogs for meat has been the main cause of drastic decline in their population.
"Killing frogs causes an imbalance in the food chain, effecting the ecological balance of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems," it adds.
The department has warned that catching, killing and selling of frogs or serving frog meat contravene provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and attracts stringent punishment.
