Citizen alerted CCF Thane about “Usage of Elephants in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan for begging”

On 05 February 2010, Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAW-Mumbai) Office received a copy of letter dated 1.02.2010 send by Citizen Mr. G. R. Vora to Mr. Shree Bhagwan (IFS) Chief Conservator of Forest Thane in regards to “Usage of Elephants in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan for begging”.

The brief letter written by Alert Citizen in his words………………………..

Page 1

 This is bring to your notice that despite your circular No.D-8(4)/WLP/OW/128/07-08, Thane 400 603, Dated 24/7/2007 of Chief Conservator of Forest Thane, there is widespread usage of Elephants for the purpose of begging in these area.

The other problems created for the animals and citizens are :

1.       The Elephants are made to walk for long distance without adequate food and water on Tar roads.

2.       The Elephants are made to walk long distance at night time too.

3.       The Elephants cause traffic jams while they are being taken from one place to another.

4.       The noise due to vehicular traffic and crackers increase the stress level of the Elephants.

5.       The Elephants do not get proper medical treatment by their handlers when they become sick or injured.

6.       Minor children are made to sit over the Elephants and beg along with these animals.

7.       It is hazardous to make the Elephants walk in public as they may come in “Musth” thus risking the life and property of citizens.

8.       The handler / owners of the Elephants themselves are poor. Thus it is very unlikely that they would be able to feed or take proper care of these mega-herbivores who require adequate food and medication to live well.

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This is to also to inform you that often concerned citizens and animal lovers complain to the police against this ill-treatment of elephants but seldom any action is taken against the handlers / owners of these poor animals.

So we request you do the following to prevent ill-treatment and harm to the Elephants :

1.       Direct the Police, local Forest Staff to take appropriate penal action against the violators, handlers or owners of these animals.

2.       Ensure that ownership license of the handlers or owners is revoked.

3.       Constitute an Elephant Welfare Committee (comprising of Police, Forest Officials and representative of animals welfare organizations) who would direct a team of Elephant handler to transfer apprehended animals to hospitals / Wildlife Parks / Elephants Camps.

4.       Expect “Mahouts” be made to take care of these apprehended Elephants in the National Parks / Wildlife Sanctuaries and paid for the same.

5.       Direct the Police Commissioner and CCF to educate all their subordinates about the laws concerning the welfare of Elephants and other animals.

6.       Make the officials manning the various check-posts (of Police, BMC and Forest Departments) to prevent entry of unauthorized animals into Mumbai.

In the large interest of the mute and suffering animals, we request to you to take urgent steps to prevent abuse and ill-treatment of such animals and inform us of all the steps taken to prevent the ill-treatment of Elephants.

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Citizen spotted Elephant in Vashi

Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Thane circular says “In order to stop this violation, it is hereby prohibited to bring or keep Indian Elephant within Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation without valid ownership with conditions stipulated by Forest Department of Maharashtra”.

On 01 February 2010, an elephant been spotted using for begging in the streets of Vashi, it is clear from photograph they are use for commercial purpose to earn money by displaying it in public. This elephant is regularly seen using for begging in this area.

Photograph by Rachna Soni

Photographs

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Citizen alerted CCF Thane about “Elephants being used for begging in the city”

On 01 February 2010, Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAW-Mumbai) Office received a copy of letter send by Citizen Mrs. Smita Shah to The Chief Conservator of Forest Thane and copy of it have been forwarded to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden in regards to “Elephants being used for begging in the city”.

The brief letter written by Alert Citizen in her words………………………..

It is shocking to see large wild animal like Elephant, which is not found in the forest of Mumbai, but it is common view to see an elephant in the city like Mumbai. Few day back I read an article that it is been banned as per your circular in 2007, but then too we can easily see an elephant been used for begging.

Recently I sa photographs in The Time of India dated Friday, 29 January 2010 (Page 9), that an elephant is being openly used for some religious purpose in thane city and this place is not so far from your office. Then too I think your officers have taken any action against the Elephant-owner.

So as a responsible citizen, I think it is my duty to bring this issue to your notice and now I think it is your responsibility to take concrete step to stop Elephant from used for begging and implement the law for the welfare of poor animal.

Waiting for your action at the earliest in this issue before any major accident happens, just like few year back an elephant named Laxmi had met with an accident near Trombay and died later.

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