While addressing a convention of the Vishnoi community on Tuesday at Guru Jambeshwar Dham in Churu district, Rajasthan, Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh said, " I come here not as a Minister but as a pilgrim and as a student of India's fascinating cultural and ecological history.
"The Vishnoi community has played a pioneering role in fostering ecological consciousness and its example must be emulated by others in our societym" he added.
In a strongly worded statement, he told the gathering, "I congratulate the Vishnois for the role they played in apprehending Salman Khan and his buddies. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is now being amended to make punishment more stringent for offenders. Future Sansar Chands and Salman Khans cannot get away lightly. The Amendments will be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament," he said.
It may be recalled that the actor was handed a five-year jail term for hunting an endangered chinkara, but was released on bail later.
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