Goa: Chief forest conservator criticises frog eating tradition, says it disturbs food chain

Goa's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Ajai Saxena has questioned the state's tradition of eating frog meat terming it as against the food chain.

"People in Goa claim that eating frog meat is a tradition. I don't understand what kind of tradition is there when you are disturbing an food chain," Saxena said in Panaji addressing a gathering on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Frog meat which is also commonly known as jumping chicken is a delicacy in the state during the monsoons. The state forest department has been raiding people poaching frogs as it is protected under Wildlife Conservation Act.

Saxena said illegal poaching of wild and frog meat would continue till there is a demand for it. He said the forest department will not be in a position to stop it completely. Wildlife trade in the world is only next to drug smuggling. On an average the trade is worth US $290 billion, he said.