Mehbooba welcomes India, Pakistan commitment to border peace
Srinagar, May 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday welcomed the decision of Indian and Pakistani army commanders to uphold the 2003 bilateral ceasefire agreement in "letter and spirit".
Reacting to Tuesday's development in which the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries decided to ensure that the ceasefire holds on borders and the Line of Control (LoC), Mehbooba Mufti wrote on Twitter: "Wholeheartedly welcome the reiteration of the commitment to the ceasefire on the border by both DGMOs.
"This brings great relief to the people residing in the vicinity (of the borders). Peace on our borders is the first essential step to a larger understanding and I truly hope it sustains."
Jammu and Kashmir has been the worst victim of border hostilities between India and Pakistan. Hundreds of families on the two sides of the LoC and the International Border have been living on the edge as mortars fired from across the border claim human lives, cattle, houses and agricultural fields.
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Bengaluru: Four South African cheetahs arrive at Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bengaluru: Four cheetahs, including two females, have arrived at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) from South Africa, NDTV reported.
The animals, brought from Induna Primate and Parrot Park in South Africa, landed at Kempegowda International Airport at around 1:15 am on Saturday. The transfer was carried out in accordance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, BBP said in a statement.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre received the cheetahs at the airport cargo terminal.
The Minister asked officials and veterinary teams to ensure strict quarantine protocols, a prescribed diet, and close health monitoring for 30 days to help the animals acclimate smoothly.
Highlighting that cheetahs, locally known as “Sivangi,” have disappeared from Karnataka’s forests, the minister stressed the need to raise public awareness through zoological institutions. He also instructed Dr Sunil Panwar, Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), to prioritise the safety and well-being of the animals.
The BBP officials said that before transportation, the cheetahs underwent thorough health inspections and quarantine in South Africa as per the guidelines of the Department of Animal Husbandry.
Required No Objection Certificates (NoC) were also obtained from Animal Quarantine Services prior to import.
"Upon arrival at BBP, the animals have been placed in a designated quarantine facility for post-import health checks and observation, after which they will be shifted to their enclosures for public viewing," the BBP said.
This import underscores BBP's commitment to international collaboration in wildlife conservation, scientific management of animals, and strict adherence to regulatory protocols. It further strengthens the park's role in ex-situ conservation and environmental education, official said.
