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.

Page 2

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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