Bovine slaughter ban not meant to hurt any community: Harsh Vardhan

The Centre has received several suggestions on its recent ban on cattle slaughter and is now contemplating ways to respond to it, Harsh Vardhan, Environment Minister told reporters on the sidelines of World Environment Day celebrations. "This is not a prestige issue for us. The new rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act were not intended to affect the food habits of a particular community or hit out at the slaughter business," the minister said.

Vardhan also said that the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement does not change India's commitment to fighting global warming and climate change. "India's commitment to the different elements of nature is not because of any agreement; it is inherent to us, built over thousands of years. We have been working tirelessly on the issue for many years, even before the Paris Agreement was signed. The PM has reiterated that our stance will not change," he said.

During the celebrations, the minister also released a mobile application which has the GIS of information on different types of fauna in all the wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas under the Zoological Society of India. The application will enable navigation of these areas, apart from facilitating a search for different species.

Vardhan said that the remaining exhibits of the National Museum of Natural History, which got destroyed after a fire broke out last year, will soon be put up at the Botanical Garden in Noida. "A plan has been submitted for a new building at the Pragati Maidan Complex. Until then, all the exhibits that could be recovered will be put up there," he said.

NATIONAL MUSEUM

• Vardhan said that the remaining exhibits of the National Museum of Natural History, which got destroyed after a fire broke out last year, will soon be put up at the Botanical Garden in Noida.