Find cause of death of 33 animals: HC
The High Court yesterday directed the government to investigate and find out the reasons behind the deaths of 33 animals and birds at the wildlife conservation centre in Tilagarh Eco Park of Sylhet, as well as the persons liable.
Secretaries to the ministries of livestock and fisheries and environment, forest and climate change have been asked to conduct the inquiry also to find out whether there ere any negligence and irregularities by the wildlife conservation centre in protecting and saving the lives of the animals.
The respondents were directed to submit a probe report before the HC in 30 days.
The court also ordered authorities concerned to form a separate special unit with relevant veterinary staff at the conservation centre, for proper treatment of animals.
It also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain within four weeks why their failure to protect the lives of animals should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Manoj Kumar Bhowmick, seeking necessary orders.
Barrister Manoj submitted the petition yesterday, following a report published in The Daily Star on March 3 with the headline "Sylhet Wildlife Conservation Centre: A condemned cell for animals".
According to the report, the wildlife conservation centre in Tilagarh Eco Park has turned into a death trap for animals since it started operations in November 2018. At least 33 animals and birds died at the centre since it was opened, said Forest Department officials.
Confirming the number of deaths, Chayanbrata Choudhury, acting beat officer of Tilagarh Forest Beat, said four deer, four chukar partridges, four peacocks and one swamp hen were among the dead.
Besides, 20 love birds either died or managed to escape from the cage, he added.
An insider who closely monitored the animals, however, said the number of deaths was as high as 50, and at least 10 more animals went missing, the report said.
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