Following a directive from the Uttar Pradesh government, the district authorities here have started the cancellation of arms licenses of people residing in the areas around Hastinapur wildlife sanctuary.
"The state government is sensitive towards protection of wildlife in Hastinapur sanctuary and has decided to cancel arms licences of people residing in this area. Accordingly, the district authorities have stated the process of identifying the arms licence holders residing in these areas," Additional District Magistrate Indermani Tripathi said.
All the arm licenses of people who are residing in villages of Muzaffarnagar, Bijnore, Meerut, Hapur and Amroha districts in Uttar Pradesh where the sanctuary areas are located, will be cancelled, he said.
An estimated 4000 people have arms licences in the five districts, while 800 license holders have been found in Muzaffarnagar, added Tripathi.
