Govt told to ensure staff in wildlife dept

NEWDELHI: A city court ordered the release of three snakes, rescued from two men, into their natural habitat and also directed the Delhi government to ensure proper staff and equipment at the ‘understaffed’ wildlife department. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Pawan Singh Rajawat directed the release of the three snakes — Indian cobra, dhaman/rat snake and sand boa — into Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. The reptiles were kept in the Delhi Zoo.

The court directed the environment secretary of Delhi government to ensure proper staff at the wildlife department. It also asked the government to make available to the officials, the equipment needed for protection of wildlife. It noted that a similar order had been issued by the National Green Tribunal.