On 23 January
2010, Plant & Animals Welfare Society –
Mumbai (PAW-Mumbai) Office received a copy of letter send by Citizen Ms. Rachna
M. Soni to Mr. Shree Bhagwan (IFS) Chief Conservator of Forest Thane and copy
of it have been forwarded to the The Police Commissioner of Mumbai and Thane in
regards to “Demand for implementation of existing Wildlife Protection Laws with
regards to freely roaming elephants in Mumbai”.
I Rachna Soni, resident of
Bhandup, would like to draw your attention to the much talked about issue of
elephants freely walked in Mumbai and particularly in and around the areas of
Bhandup, Mulund and Thane. Although the number of elephants in the city has
reduced to large extent from what was few years back, they are still seen
repeatedly near railway station, bus stands and markets during peak hours in my
area. Elephants have become a major reason for traffic congestion and even
accidents on the narrow streets of Bhandup, Mulund, Ghatkopar and thane which
are not sufficient to accommodate the giant animal. The mahouts walking the
elephants do not have the request license of the forest department and if they
do have, it’s a fake one in most cases.
When elephants cannot
satisfy their natural behaviors, they develop extreme stress, which manifests
itself in abnormal behaviors such as constant pacing, eating excrement and
constant wobbling. In addition, they pose a real threat to public safety,
precisely because they are unpredictable. No amount of training or affection
can eliminate this danger.
NOTE : To view larger image please double click on it
The brief letter written by Alert Citizen in her words………………………..
I Rachna Soni, resident of
Bhandup, would like to draw your attention to the much talked about issue of
elephants freely walked in Mumbai and particularly in and around the areas of
Bhandup, Mulund and Thane. Although the number of elephants in the city has
reduced to large extent from what was few years back, they are still seen
repeatedly near railway station, bus stands and markets during peak hours in my
area. Elephants have become a major reason for traffic congestion and even
accidents on the narrow streets of Bhandup, Mulund, Ghatkopar and thane which
are not sufficient to accommodate the giant animal. The mahouts walking the
elephants do not have the request license of the forest department and if they
do have, it’s a fake one in most cases.
We almost every day see
elephants painted in bright color, trailing in the midst of heavy traffic with
their mahout collecting eatable or money offered by the pedestrians. This leads
to a lot a commotion and nuisance for the animal, vehicles and the pedestrians
on the streets. The mahout, in order to control the elephant on busy streets
keeps whacking it and starves it for long an hour which is travelling from one
place to another in utmost brutal conditions.
When elephants cannot
satisfy their natural behaviors, they develop extreme stress, which manifests
itself in abnormal behaviors such as constant pacing, eating excrement and
constant wobbling. In addition, they pose a real threat to public safety,
precisely because they are unpredictable. No amount of training or affection
can eliminate this danger.
It’s high time that
Elephants be completely banned from the city and taken back to their natural
environment. Proper vigilance and tight security should be maintained at the
forest check post offices so that the mahouts do not bring them back to the
city. Please, for the sake of the animals and the safety of the public,
implement the laws and stop this inhumane practice once and for all.
Thank you for your time and
consideration.
NOTE : To view larger image please double click on it
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