The statue of Sardar Vallab­hbhai Patel is more than twice the size of Statue of Libert­yAHMEDABAD: Indian foresters have begun relocating around 300 crocodiles to allow a seaplane service for visitors to the world’s tallest statue, the newly erected 182-metre (597-feet) Statue of Unity. The statue of independence hero Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — is more than twice the size of the Statue of Liberty. Bittu Sahgal, editor of wildlife magazine Sanctuary Asia, criticised the moving of the endangered crocodiles, tweeting: “Have we collectively lost our minds?”Have we collectively lost our minds? https://t.co/sGCj2KWgAQ — Bittu Sahgal (@BittuSahgal) January 25, 2019Priyavrat Gadhvi, a member of the state wildlife board, said any relocation should have been preceded by a thorough scientific analysis. There are no trains, and most tourists take a bus on a four-lane highway from Vadodora to reach the landmark.

Source: The Express Tribune January 25, 2019 14:37 UTC