(IN) Goa's forest deptt rescues 1693 reptiles

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Goa's forest department rescues 1693 reptiles

PTI 20 July 2009, 03:50pm IST

 

PANAJI: With the increase in encroachment on jungles, Goa's forest minister on

Monday said that his department was rescuing four reptiles

everyday from residential areas.

 

In a written reply tabled in State Assembly's monsoon session began this

morning, Filipe Neri Rodrigues said the forest department rescued 1693 reptiles,

including pythons, during current financial year and released into wild.

 

" Nearly 4,000 snakes have been released into their natural habitat over the last

three years by the rescue squads located at four places throughout Goa, "

Rodrigues said.

 

The reply by the minister says the number of pythons and other reptiles rescued

from residential areas is on rise annually with current financial year recording

1693 rescues.

 

Around 1241 and 1146 reptiles were rescued during the financial year 2007-08 and

2006-07 respectively, it said.

 

The state has its large area under forest cover, with six wildlife sanctuaries

and a national park.

 

The forest department has set up a rescue squad at Campal, Mollem, Bondla and

Cotigao to deal with incidents of monkey menace and other rescue activities.

 

" The menace causing animals are trapped and rehabilitated in suitable areas in

the natural habitat, " he said.