Stop eating meat to save wild animals: Minister

Speaking at the concluding function of the World Wildlife Week celebrations in Chennai, Srinivasan said business in the meat shops have gone down. “When I enquired, I found out that it was due to the Tamil month of Puratasi, when a majority of Hindus, worshipping Lord Venkatachalapathy, stay away from eating meat. If people practice it for 11 months a year, there will be no harm to the wild animals,” the minister said.

The World Wildlife Week is celebrated every year between October 2 and 8. Various events, including competitions, are conducted to create awareness on conserving wildlife. Both school and college students took part in the programmes in large numbers. Winners of several competitions were awarded prize during the function. 

Srinivasan also said that Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in conserving forests and wildlife and is ranked second among the States in implementing various developmental works in the zoological parks in the State. 

“Rs 21 crore had been allotted to carry out various developmental works in Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Children’s Park in Guindy, Amirthi Park in Vellore and Kurumbatti Park, in Salem,” said Srinivasan.