‘Bear’s death is an isolated incident’; A K Saseendran sends letter to Maneka Gandhi over remarks against Forest dept

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister A K Saseeendran has written a letter to Maneka Gandhi for her defamatory remarks against the state forest department. The minister informed that the state is way ahead in the protection of wild animals and the death of the bear in Vellanadu is an isolated incident. He also invited Maneka Gandhi to Kerala to assess how the state conserves forest resources and animals.

A bear that fell into a well in Thiruvananthapuram’s Vellanadu, drowned during the rescue operation of the Forest Department. During the rescue mission, the bear was tranquilized and drowned in the well. After the incident, Maneka Gandhi came out against the forest department. She opined that Kerala has the worst forest department in the country. She also demanded action against the officials who decided to tranquilize the bear inside the well.

Meanwhile, Thrissur's Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy had approached the High Court demanding action against the forest department officials in the bear’s death. But while considering the petition, the court asked how can criminal charges be filed against the officials in the incident. The court told the petitioners that the officers did not intend to kill the bear and the bear lost its life unfortunately. The court issued a notice to the opposing parties, including the forest department, in the Public Interest Litigation. The petition will be heard again on May 25.