Cleaning Vishwamitri river sparks row

Vadodara: Work to clean the Vishwamitri river has sparked a row with animal welfare activists stating that it would disturb reptiles during their breeding season.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) started the work on Saturday in wake of the monsoon as the foliage as well as material on the banks of the river would obstruct flow of water. The civic body promised to do so without disturbing the ecology of the river.
However, Raj Bhavsar from the Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stated that crocodiles and other reptiles would be breeding presently. He added that disturbing them at this stage may also lead to them venturing into populated areas.