S Ramadoss opposes Raj Bhavan polo plan

Chennai: PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Sunday opposed to any move by the Raj Bhavan here to conduct regular polo events at the ground located inside Guindy National Park. He contends that polo would cause harm to the endangered black buck and the city environment.

DC had on Saturday (June 24) reported that the Governor's office has approached the state chief secretary seeking permission to conduct regular polo events at the ground located inside Guindy National Park. The ground is a protected feeding and resting place for critically endangered black buck under the forest conservation and wildlife protection Act 1973.

Responding to the news article, Mr Ramadoss said the proposed project, if approved, would sound the death knell of black bucks. "Since the space for the animals has reduced in the Guindy National Park, they come out of the forest and roam in areas like Guindy and Ekkattuthangal. If the polo ground is opened for public, it would affect the animals," Ramadoss said.

He also named Governor's Secretary Ramesh Chand Meena, saying he is the one who has sent the proposal to the government on the polo grounds. "He is the one who proposed a helipad and that was dropped due to opposition from environmentalists," Ramadoss said.