Lok Sabha Question No. 3596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-11
Subject: Stray Animals
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: REKHA ARUN VERMA, SHARAD TRIPATHI

OIH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3596**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2015

**Stray Animals**

3596.   SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

1. whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme for stray animals to protect them from road accidents;

1. if so, the details thereof;
2. whether the Government has taken any steps to release such animals to their natural habitat or handed them over to zoos; and
3. if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

| (a) and (b)   | Wild animals sometimes meet road accidents while crossing the roads within or adjacent to forests. While there are programmes for conservation of wild animals which include activities for habitat improvement, there is no specific scheme for protecting the animals from road accidents.  In case of roads passing through or close to forest areas which have high density of wildlife, appropriate signages for caution to the passing traffic are insisted and speed restrictions are imposed at the stretches where found necessary.  Moreover, while considering the activities of up gradation and widening of roads within or adjacent to protected areas, such proposals are carefully appraised in the State Forest Departments, State Board for Wildlife and National Board for Wildlife, to provide for adequate mitigation measures for safety of animals as well as commuters. Besides, for ensuring continuity of habitat, facilities for safe passage for animals, like under passes etc. are insisted in the design of roads.   |
|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (c) and (d)   | State Forest Departments organize rescue and rehabilitation of animals meeting road accidents for subsequent release in natural habitat. The wild animals which are not fit for releasing back to the wild are housed in Zoos and Rescue Centres recognized by the Central Zoo Authority. There are fifteen Rescue Centres in nine States operated by State Forest Departments or Non Governmental Organizations, co-ordinated by the Central Zoo Authority for immediate care and rehabilitation of wild animals. The details of such Rescue Centres are annexed at  **Annexure-I.**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

*******

**ANNEXURE – I**

**ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) AND (D) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3596 REGARDING STRAY ANIMALS BY SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA & SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI DUE FOR REPLY ON 11.08.2015**

| **S.No.**   | **State**         | **Name of Rescue Centre**                           | **City**   | **Operator**                                |
|-------------|-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------|
|             | Andhra Pradesh    | Karuna Society for Animals and Nature-Rescue Centre | Anantapur  | Society                                     |
|             | Arunachal Pradesh | Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation     | Pakke      | NGO in collaboration with Forest Department |
|             | Assam             | Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation | Golaghat   | NGO in collaboration with Forest Department |
|             | Haryana           | Hanuman Vatika-Rescue Centre                        | Gurgaon    | NGO in collaboration with Forest Department |
|             | Haryana           | Vulture Conservation Breeding Center                | Pinjore    | NGO in collaboration with Forest Department |
|             | Haryana           | Wildlife Rescue Centre                              | Gurgaon    | NGO in collaboration with Forest Department |
|             | Himachal Pradesh  | Nehru Phesantary                                    | Manali     | Forest Department                           |
|             | Himachal Pradesh  | Rescue and Rehabilitation Home                      | Tutikandi  | Forest Department                           |
|             | Karnataka         | People for Animals - Rescue Centre                  | Bangalore  | NGO                                         |
|             | Maharashtra       | Amtes Animal Ark                                    | Gadchiroli | Trust                                       |
|             | Maharashtra       | Leopard Rescue Centre                               | Manikdoh   | Forest Department in collaboration with NGO |
|             | Maharashtra       | People for Animals, Shelter House                   | Wardha     | NGO                                         |
|             | Uttar Pradesh     | Agra Bear Rescue Facility                           | Agra       | NGO in collaboration with Forest Department |
|             | West Bengal       | Nature Park at Taratola Road                        | Kolkata    | Society                                     |
|             | West Bengal       | Pugmarks – PFA Sanitiketan Rescue Centre            | Kolkata    | NGO                                         |