While the Animal Husbandry department is trying hard to get the plant operational, which has been not working for about a decade, Forest authorities have opposed it citing wildlife conservation laws.
The plant was set up inside Ratapani sanctuary under Raisen district to ensure proper disposal of dead animals as a joint undertaking of the Centre and state government in 1995 at crores of rupees.
Due to closure of the plant, there is a possibility of spread of infection due to decaying of animals bodies near the sanctuary. As also there is downfall in number of vultures, Animal Husbandry Minister Kusum Singh Mehdele had written in a note to Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar.
Forest department officials said the functioning of the plant is alleged violation of wildlife law. "We have informed our view on it to the authorities concerned and they are looking into it," said K Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer, Obedullaganj.
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Wildlife activists are also against the operationalisation of the plant inside the sanctuary saying it poses threat to wild animals including tigers living there.
He said the state tourism development corporation should also stop running all commercial activities from the sanctuary.
Animal Husbandry department officials said the machinery inside the plant had come from Denmark and it has an in-built effluent treatment plant. "So no waste goes outside," a senior forest official said.