The Ministry of Forests and Environment has written to the State Governments to prevent any harm to the forests and the wildlife during the lockdown in various districts.

The Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers in all seven States were written through the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for protecting forests and wildlife during the lockdown announced in the country to fight against COVID-19, Forests and Environment Ministry spokesperson, Dr Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, said. He said the directive was issued as per a ministry-level decision.

Stating additional activeness on the part of the federal government, the state governments, the local levels and community as well was required for wildlife and nature conservation, Dhungana said the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment at each state was urged for more effective mobilisation of the human resources at the State Forest Directorate and the Division Forest Office for the protection and management of the national forests and wildlife. They have been asked to do this in coordination with the local administration.

He said this directive was issued as there are chances of poachers and wildlife smugglers, and at times even the general public, causing harm to the wildlife and the forest, taking advantage of the lockdown period.