Darjeeling: People killing Bengal monitor lizards for its meat: DFO

Darjeeling(WB) July 31 (PTI) Bengal monitor lizards, locally called ghoros are becoming rare as people kill them for their priceless meat. The Divisional Forest Officer, Darjeeling (Research) said "this reptile (Varnus Bengalenes) or Bengal monitor lizard are found at 1,500 m altitude and in the foothills but has now become rare due to habitat loss as people kill it for its meat. There is another of its species called the golden Bengal monitor lizard. This one is smaller in size and about three feet in length. The DFO said if people are found killing the Bengal monitor lizard then the forest department will take action. He said people should not kill it just to eat its meat because the lizard is also one of the animals that helps maintain ecological balance and if the wanton killing continues it will soon become extinct.