Next time you spot a sick or injured animal, call the UT Forest and Wildlife Department... For, the UT Department has procured a ‘Wildlife Rescue Vehicle’ which will be used to rescue wild animals with safety and transport them to the forest areas.
The ‘Wildlife Rescue Vehicle’ was flagged off by the department to mark the inauguration of wildlife week celebrations on Thursday in Chandigarh.
Santosh Kumar, UT chief wildlife warden said that the ‘Wildlife Rescue Vehicle’ had been procured by the department from MPlADS funds. The vehicle would be used to rescue sick or injured animals without hurting them and thereafter, transporting them back to the forest areas. The vehicle shall be operated by wildlife squad of Department of Forests & Wildlife.
Besides, the Department along with the Chief Post Master General, Punjab region, Kulbir Singh, jointly released a special postal cover on state animal of UT Chandigarh i.e. Indian Grey Mangoose which was prepared by Department of Forests & Wildlife, Chandigarh Administration, in collaboration with Department of Posts.
The poster was released at Kansal loghut in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The aim of releasing a poster was to spread awareness about the state animal among the masses.
Meanwhile, the celebration of wildlife week, 2014 began by organizing a “Nature and Wildlife Trek” on October 2 coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The ‘Nature and Wildlife Trek’ was organized in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary forms the part of Sukhna lake catchment area falling in Shivalik hills. It inhibits nine species of mammals and 63 species of birds.
Santosh Kumar informed that the ‘Nature and Wildlife Trek’ started from Nepli and culminated at Kansal log Hut. The wildlife trek was approximately 7.5 km in length and passed through three hillocks reaching a maximum height of 1500 feet.
“Around 300 people participated in the trek which included school children and general public. The entry for the ‘Nature and Wildlife Trek’ was obtained through advertisement in print media as well as through internet. The participants were divided into groups of around 20 people. Each group was having one forest official, one policeman with wireless set and one bird watcher with binocular,” he added.
On this occasion, KK Sharma, Advisor to UT Administrator first administered the pledge for “Swachhh Bharat Abhiyan” to all including Trekkers as part of series of events being organised all across the country under the “National Sanitation Campaign”. Sharma also emphasised the need for holding such type of Treks on regular basis to create awareness amongst the people of Chandigarh.