UK ministers told not to engage formally with Indian mega zoo after lobbying

UK government officials advised ministers against formal engagement with the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, a private mega-zoo housing numerous wild animals in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office diplomats issued this guidance after lobbying by representatives of the facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Internal documents showed that officials cautioned against providing a formal platform to the project. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that the facility has acquired species including elephants and leopards for its operations. Officials raised concerns that ministerial involvement could be seen as an official endorsement of the private entity. An internal communication stated that “we should avoid any formal ministerial engagement” to maintain distance from the project. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office recommended that future interactions be limited to technical or informal levels instead of high-level diplomatic support. No hearing or investigation was mentioned.

Sources

The Guardian

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UK ministers told not to engage formally with Indian mega zoo after lobbying

Sources

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