(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `Tigress skinned to offer sacrifice for VIP` appearing in The Asian Age dated October 11, 2000;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether after skinning of a tigress in Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad another incidence of skinning of a leopard in Andhra Pradesh has come to the notice of the Government; and
(d) if so, the action taken against the erring staff?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R.BAALU)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) The case of killing and skinning of tigress `Sakhi` inside the Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad on the night of 4th October, 2000 is being enquired by State C.I.D. The Chief Minister of State is monitoring the progress of the case personally. Principal Secretary to the Andhra Pradesh Government, Revenue Department has also been appointed to inquire into the matter in its entirety. So far, Government of India has not received any report from the State Government wherein the apprehension of the tigress being killed for `Mahamrityunjay Yagna` has been expressed.
(c) Yes Sir.
(d) The Forest Range Officer, Muddanur, has been placed under suspension by the State Government.