Three tigers among 69 animals killed in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, March 23 (IANS) Three tigers were among 69 animals killed in the wild in Chhattisgarh since 2009-10, while the state government has spent a little over Rs.116 crore on the protection of animals during the period, an official said Friday.

"Cases of poaching in the state have risen in recent years and since fiscal 2009-10, 69 animals were killed, including three big cats. The forest department has stepped up patrolling and deployed more forest guards in areas vulnerable to poaching to safeguards wildlife animals," a senior forest official told IANS.

The forest department has also spent over Rs.3 crore since April 2009 for development of state's first ever crocodile park in Janjgir-Champa district, but the park also reported death of six crocodiles during the period.