Soon after Big B was appointed state’s ambassador for tiger conservation, Hema Malini approached Mungantiwar, expressing her willingness to be the face for conservation of the national bird
The state’s fauna seem to be having a great run, with stars queuing up to promote their conservation. Just a week after mid-day reported that Sachin Tendulkar will be offered the ambassadorship for forest products after both he and Amitabh Bachchan agreed to be the brand ambassador for tiger conservation in the state, this newspaper has now learnt that Dream Girl Hema Malini had approached the state Forests Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and expressed her willingness to be the ambassador for peacock conservation.
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Forests Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said they do not have a programme whereby they can appoint celebrities as ambassadors for every animal and bird
According to Mantralaya sources, this reportedly happened two weeks ago, just after the Big B was made the ambassador at a function on August 11.
Surge
The forests ministry has claimed that after the interest shown by Bachchan and the master blaster, there has been a surge in celebrities expressing their willingness to become the ambassador for conservation projects for different animals and birds.
According to Mantralaya sources, Malini, who is a BJP MP from Mathura in UP, had met Mungantiwar two weeks ago and he had replied that he would check with the ministry whether such a thing was possible.
Minister speak
When mid-day spoke to him yesterday, Mungantiwar said, “Hemaji had met me and said that if she had to be the ambassador, then she would like to promote the conservation of the national bird, the peacock.
Isn’t it a good thing, that such celebrities are coming ahead to help the state and that too for free? They do not demand a single penny from us for such endorsements.” He added, however, “We do not have such a programme whereby we can appoint celebrities as ambassadors for every animal and bird.”
Related Story: Amitabh Bachchan to be brand ambassador of Maharashtra's tiger conservation project
Meanwhile, an officer from the ministry, said, “There are other celebrities who now want to come forth and be associated with the forest department. However, we haven’t yet decided anything on these lines.” When mid-day asked Hema Malini for comment, she cryptically replied, “I don’t mind. I was told Van Vibhag.”
Sachin meet today
mid-day had reported on August 18 that Sachin may be made the ambassador for the Van Dhan Jan Dhan (forest produce) shops. The minister said yesterday that they will be meeting Sachin Tendulkar today (Wednesday) at his Bandra residence to take the conversation regarding appointing him as an ambassador for either the Jan Dhan Van Dhan Shops or the Harit Sena forward.
Mungantiwar said, “Sachin had asked us for details on what exactly will be his role as an ambassador. Since we have already appointed Amitabh Bachchan as Tiger ambassador, we cannot have two ambassadors and hence we will meet Sachin and ask him whether he would like to be the ambassador of Van Dhan or Harit Sena. If none of these work out, we will ask him what would to be to his liking and try working towards that.”
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