NEW DELHI: As fire rages over the ambitious Agniveer scheme — a first-of-its-kind enrollment of youth in the defence services — by the Indian government, with some political parties sparring with Centre, a one-year-old cub has become the roll-out’s early symbol of ferocity.
In a statement of sorts, Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change and consumer affairs, food and public distribution, Ashwini Kumar Choubey has adopted a tiger and named him Agniveer.
On his way back from Gangtok, the minister was to inspect the Bengal Safari North Bengal Wild Animals Park.
During the inspection, Choubey personally adopted the tiger with the aim “to spread awareness among the people about the Adoption Program and motivate them to adopt more animals”.
He instantly signed a Rs 2 lakh charity cheque for the maintenance of the adopted tiger.
So far, 70 people have adopted animals at this Park under the program.
Choubey said that he was a witness to the fierce nature in Kedarnath Dham.
“Everyone should be aware of the protection of nature. So that such incidents do not happen,” the minister said, while adding that he has adopted the tiger in memory of the victims of the Kedarnath tragedy.
“Animals have a significant role in the balance of the environment. Their protection is essential. For this, there is also a need to make people aware regularly,” the minister said.
He also directed the officers to conduct regular awareness campaigns about ‘Jiva Jantu Sanrakshan Abhiyaan’.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) West Bengal Soumitra Das Gupta said that the adoption of a tiger by the MoS would inspire others.