CBSE stops use of rare species in science labs

The use of rare and endangered species in science laboratories at most schools will henceforth be prohibited.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools to discontinue the use of rare species, dead or alive, in their science laboratories.

After receiving a complaint from the director general of forest on the illegal use of such species, the board has issued orders to all schools.

The circular issued by the central board states that there have been several complaints from the forest department about schools and colleges illegally making use of rare species and animals in their laboratories.

This is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It also goes on to state that under the act, the transit, trade and possession of wild animals, live or dead, is strictly prohibited.

Shashi Bhushan, the academic director of the CBSE, made an appeal to all principals to adhere strictly to the provisions of the act and to surrender such species to the environment and forest department if the school procures any.

Principals have been asked to access the list of endangered species from the environment department’s website (http://www.envfor.nic.in/legis/wildlife/wildlife1.html). The board has also asked schools not to make any fresh purchase of preserved animal specimens and endangered plant species.

Deepshikha Srivastava, principal of Rajhans Vidyalaya, Andheri, said she was not aware of the new circular. “We do have some species on display, all of which are included in the curriculum. We do not know which ones are to be discontinued. In any case, we will have to abide by the rules.”

Meanwhile, to encourage visually handicapped students to take up science subjects at the senior secondary level, the CBSE is planning to set disabled-friendly question papers. Earlier, such papers were set only for geography, economics and science. This will now be extended to physics, chemistry and biology.