Ludhiana, June 28
Eight months after the state Wildlife and Forest Department made the first attempt to close an illegal zoo run by the management of the controversial Mehtiana Sahib Gurdwara near Jagraon, the zoo continues to flourish.

This time it’s area has also increased to a sprawling 3 acres in utter violation of the Wildlife Protection Act and rules of keeping the animals in captivity. The illegal owners are even charging fee from visitors. Most of the visitors are those coming to the gurdwara for paying obeisance.

This was revealed to state Forest and Wildlife Department officials through a report sent by local department officials. Sources told The Tribune that the persons running the zoo illegally enjoyed political patronage the last government. It remains to be seen what action will be taken against the illegal zoo by the present Congress regime.

The issue of the animals is not simply of wildlife violation or cruelty towards the animals, but it involves an issue like that of the Dhakki Sahib dera, from where several such animals were recovered in a major operation handled jointly by Wildlife, Forest and police officials.

According to sources, the zoo has over two dozen each of sambhar and deer, four jackals and a large number of birds and rabbits. The animals are kept in adverse conditions and the cages are quite small. They are also underfed. The sources said the government officials who had gone to get the animals released were threatened by the zoo authorities.

Mr Jarnail Singh, District Forest Officer, told The Tribune that the department had received the information about the illegal zoo and was in the process of taking stringent action against it.