Animal Right Activist Sunish Subramanian Kunju Attacked & Assaulted by Elephnat owner at POWAI

MISSION Save LAXMI

 

Elephant LAXMI illegal brought to Mumbai City limit

and using it for religious event at POWAI

POWAI, Mumbai | Monday 13, January 2014 : Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai) Office received a call from an animal Lover at 8:00 PM, who spotted an Elephant using in function at Powai, following to the information PAWS-Mumbai Activist and Hony. Animal Welfare Officer informed the officers ...of forest department (Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) West Region : Suresh Thorat, Chief Conservator of Forest Thane : K.P. Singh, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forest Thane : Anwar Ahmed, Range Forest Officer Mumbai : Anil Toradmal) and also trace out the location by following the elephant.

Animal Rights Activist SUNISH SUBRAMANIAN KUNJU

outside Powai Police Station after launching complaint against

ELEPHNAT OWNER Pandey for Attacking & Assaulting

As per the information the elephant was belongs to Sabhashankar B. Pandey from Dahisar and was using it for the annual festival Thiru Aaratu organized by Shree Ayyappa Seva Sangham Powai – Powai Ayyappa Temple. While Forest Staff recoding the statement of Mahout and Organiser, the owner Sabhashankar Pandey along with around 10 -15 People including his son Saresh Pandey (29) reached the spot, later he started creating issue and stated assaulted, threated the activist Sunish Subramanian Kunju. While activist call-up Police Control Helpline100 and on the ways to Police Station Saresh Pandey and his people attacked the activist. In this regards complaint was registered at Powai Police Station (NC No. 173/14 Dated 14.01.2014 Under Section 506, 323) by Sunish Subramanian Kunju.

As per the information received since 2 weeks the elephants been seen using it for begging at Dahisar, As per the Circular dated 28th October 2013 of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) West Region states that “The Elephant is listed at S. No. 12 – B in Schedule – 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002. The Elephant is often brought within the city limits of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. These elephants are brought in to : give joy ride, beg; entertain Guests at wedding; act in serials and movies; bless and entertain guests at functions at temples and political rallies. All of the activities carried out by the Elephant are in contravention with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972”.

On October 17, 2013 Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai team lead by Abhhijeet Rane and Sunish Subramanian Kunju met Chief Conservator of Forests – Thane Shri. K. P. Singh (IFS) to submit SAVE JUMBO Citizen Report along with Protest Letter from Member of Parliament Shri. Sanjay Dina Patil, Shri. Sanjay Nirupam and Shri. Sanjeev Ganesh Naik, Member of Legislative Assembly Shri. Krishna Hegde, Maharashtra Legislative Council Shri. Charan Singh Sapra, Municipal Councilor Shri. Pravin Chheda, NGO’s Parivartan Pratishthan, Abhijeet Rane Youth Foundation and Ankur Pratishthan, Dhadak Kamgar Union and with 100 letters from animal lovers across the citizen demanding total banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and entire Jurisdiction of CCF Thane with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India. There was 30 minutes discussion on the various issue in the presence of Deputy Conservator of Forests- Thane Shri. Anwar Ahmed and Divisional Forest Officer – Vigilence Shri. H. G. Dhumal. PAWS-Mumbai also requested to register FIR/ Action under Wildlife (Protection) Act for been seen violating the laws by using the elephants for begging without any proper care action should be taken against owner of 2 Elephants (Laxmi – Female – Age 25 Years and Rupkali – Female – Age 30 Years) Mr. Sabhashankar B. Pandey and to send the elephant to rehabilitation Center.

For More information please call Mr. Sunish Subramanian Kunju on +9833480388 / +91 9892179542 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingFREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

 

More Photographs

Elephant been forced to walk on concrete road  

ELEPHNAT

Illegally using with Police Protection and before

this Police Animal Rights Activist with Attacked

Elephant using in religious event with out any permission from

Forest Department, Animal Welfare Board of India or any other authority

who is authorize body to give permission

Elephant after long walk in Crowd, on Concrete Road  

Copy of complaint registered at Powai Police Station

 

 UPLOADED BY :Nisha Kunju (Administrator – Cum – PRO : PAWS-Mumbai) 

Need to release better and more effective Circulars to prevent abuse of Elephants under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 in entire MAHARASHTRA State -----PAWS-Mumbai

To,
Shri. Praveen Pardeshi Ji – IAS
Principal Secretary Forest – Govt. of Maharashtra
Mantralaya, Vidhan Bahvan Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400 032. 022 22023363
...
Shri S.W.H.Naqvi Ji - IFS
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests - Head of Forest Force : M.S., Nagpur
3rd Floor, "Van Bhanvan", Ramgiri Road, Civil Lines, Nagur - 440 001. 0712 2550670

Shri Sarjan Bhagat Ji - IFS
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests – Wildlife : M.S., Nagpur
3rd Floor, "Van Bhanvan", Ramgiri Road, Civil Lines, Nagur - 440 001. 0712 2549563

Subject : Need to release better and more effective Circulars to prevent abuse of Elephants under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 in entire MAHARASHTRA State.

Reference :
Circular No. : D-8(4)/WLP/OW/128/07-08, Thane 400 603, Dated : 24/7/2007, Issued by the Chief Conservator of Forests – Thane
Circular Dated : 28th October 2013, Issued by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) West Region

Respected Sir,

This is to bring to your notice that the above two Circulars are greatly flawed. The following flaws have been noticed due to which the owners / handlers etc. of Elephants exploit the loop-holes to abuse them and gain monetarily, thus evading prosecution. The Indian Elephant is listed at S. N. 12-B in Schedule – 1 of The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002 and elephant is also a largest herbivorous animal.

The flaws noticed in these two Circulars are :
a. The Circulars restrict the jurisdiction of abuse to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. (The jurisdiction needs to be extended to entire Maharashtra or if the issuing authority is of a Particular Region or CCF Area, then it should cover that entire Region or CCF Area.)

b. There is no provision for penalty for the law-breakers mentioned in the Circulars. The exact Sections of the law (Section 2(7A) read with Section 2 (39) 38H, 43 and 42 of Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002; Wildlife Protection Act 1972; Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules 2001; Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960; Performing Animals Rules, 1973 & 2001; Indian Penal Code 1860., etc) which get violated and the resultant penalty needs to be mentioned in the Circulars.

c. Instructions need to be given to check-posts (of vehicular and of Forest Dept.) to be vigilant and thus ensure that no such transition of Elephants is permitted from one area to another.

d. Accountability needs to be well-defined upon every law-enforcer (i.e. Range Forest Officer, Guards at Forest Check Post, Round Officers and up to the Chief Conservator of concerned region, if they fail to detect such violations or fail to act upon such violations when brought to their notice by animal lovers or concerned citizens.

e. All permissions needed for display, performance in circus or otherwise, transition, for joy-rides, display in temples etc. need to be checked by the concerned law-enforcers before any other permissions are granted by the Forest Depts. ( That is the co-ordination between various authorities concerned to animal / wildlife – Police, Forest Check Post Staff, Animal Welfare Board of India, Officers of Conservators of Forests etc. needs to be fine-tuned in order to ensure that no loop-holes are exploited by the law-breakers to cause distress and abuse of Elephants).

f. The Circulars needs to mention the Helpline Nos., Addresses and E-mail ids of law-enforcers which citizens can avail of when they notice abuse of Elephants.

g. Every Circular should have the Department rubber Stamp, Phone Nos., Postal Address and E-mail id mentioned in the Circular so as to make it authentic.

h. The Circulars need to be widely circulated and displayed via various offices of the law-enforcement Departments and also prominently displayed on the Department websites for easy access for the citizens.

i. All law-enforcement Departments should be directed to promptly take cognizance of complaints of Elephant abuse and should act immediately upon them so as to act as a deterrent for the law-violators.

Sir, co-ordination Committee should be instituted comprising of Police, Forest Officers and NGO representatives at regional and State and CCF level to ensure that law-enforcement is promptly done, failing which appropriate action is initiated against the concerned officers for dereliction of duty and non-implementation of laws.

Please note if really prompt action would have been taken on the above two Circulars, then abuse and deaths of Elephants such as Roopkali, Bijlee - Ramu etc. would have been prevented.

So once again we request you to kindly ensure that your good office and the various subordinate Departments under the Forest Department issue foolproof Circulars so as to ensure zero abuse of Elephants and other animals.

We would appreciate if you could inform us of the action taken on our above suggestions so that your proactive actions are promptly communicated to other animal welfare organisations and concerned citizens.

Thanking you.

In the service of animals and environment,

For Plant & Animals Welfare Society –  Mumbai 

Sunish Subramanian Kunju (Secretary)

Editor : Plant & Animal Voice
Hony. Animal Welfare Officer : Animal Welfare Board of India (Govt. of India)
Hony. Animal Welfare Officer : Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra

Attached : Copy of both the circulars

Copy to :

1. Shri. Patangrao Kadam Ji - Hon. Minister of Forest, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mumbai.
Mantralaya, Vidhan Bahvan Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400 032.

2. Shri. Chaitanya Murti Ji - Asst. Inspector General of Forests (Project Elephant) & CPIO, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Room No. 414, Block-3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003.

3. Secretary, Animal Welfare Board of India, 13/1, Third Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai- 600 041, T. N.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) West Region Circular

Please click of IMAGE to see Large Image

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) West Region, Near Old MHB Colony, L.T.Road, Borivali (West), Mumbai – 400 091.

 

Date : 28^th October 2013

 

CIRCULAR

 

By an Order bearing No. Desk 23(4)/CNo. 494/1603 dated 26^th July 2013, the Chief Wildlife Warden has delegated various power inter alia Section 42 and 43 (2) to the office of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). It is in keeping with this order that this office is passing the following Circular :

 

The Elephant is listed at S. No. 12 – B in Schedule – 1 of The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002. The is often brought within the city limits of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. These elephants are brought in to : give joy ride, beg; entertain Guests at wedding; act in serials and movies; bless and entertain guests at functions at temples and political rallies. All of the activities carried out by the Elephant are in contravention with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

 

Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane are densely populated urban areas. Elephants are wild animals and are ill suited to these cities. Given the external conditions of a densely populated urban environment elephants in cities can get easily agitated. As a result of this, elephants can attack human beings. This is a direct risk to public safety and life.

 

Section 42 of the Wildlife Act provides for the issuance of a certificate of ownership to persons who are in lawful possessions of, inter alia, wild animals. Under the prevision to section 42, prior to issuing a certificate of ownership, it is mandatory to ensure that the applicant has adequate facilities for housing, maintenance and upkeep for the animal. Under Section 43 (2), when a person transfers an animal listed in any of the Schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 from the state in which it resides to another state he must report the transfer to the Chief Wildlife Warden. It is  the opinion of this office, that no elephant owner can provide an elephant adequate facility for housing, maintenance and upkeep of these animals within the city limits of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane.

 

Therefore, urban areas are not suitable for keeping of elephants. As a consequence, it is hereby declare that the presence of the Elephants in the area falling in the areas falling within the city limits of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane is prohibited henceforth.

 

(Suresh Thorat)

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

(Wildlife) West Region

Copy to all concerned.

Animal Lovers Letter to Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane in regards to Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mira Bhayander, Vasai, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India

PROTEST - Cum - DEMAND LETTER
SAVE JUMBO - Mira Bhayander, Vasai, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane

List of Animal Lovers..................

 

THANK YOU

All the Animal Lovers

for supporting SAVE JUMBO the citizen movement

by writing letter to "Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane" and Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mira Bhayander, Vasai, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India.

Animal Lovers Letter to Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane in regards to Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali & Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India

PROTEST - Cum - DEMAND LETTER
SAVE JUMBO - Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali & Ulhasnagar

List of Animal Lovers..................

 

THANK YOU

All the Animal Lovers

for supporting SAVE JUMBO the citizen movement

by writing letter to "Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane" and Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali & Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India.

Animal Lovers Letter to Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane in regards to Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar & Vasai - Virar Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India

PROTEST - Cum - DEMAND LETTER
SAVE JUMBO - Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar & Vasai - Virar

t of Animal Lovers..................

 

THANK YOU

All the Animal Lovers

for supporting SAVE JUMBO the citizen movement

by writing letter to "Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane" and Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar & Vasai - Virar Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India.

Animal Lovers Letter to Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane in regards to Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane & Kalyan - Dombivali Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India

PROTEST - Cum - DEMAND LETTER
SAVE JUMBO - Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane & Kalyan - Dombivali

List of Animal Lovers..................

THANK YOU

All the Animal Lovers

for supporting SAVE JUMBO the citizen movement

by writing letter to "Chief Conservator of Forests - Thane" and Demand Total Banning of Elephants into the limit of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane & Kalyan - Dombivali Municipal Corporation with immediate effect by implementation of Existing Animal Welfare Laws as per our Constitution of India.