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Photograph
evidence attached with
PAWS-Mumbai Letter along with
News Paper Articles and
Citizen Complaints
(by SMS, E-Mail, Letters)
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On 23 November 2009, Plant &
Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAW-Mumbai) Office have send letter to
various authorities like Principal Chief Conservator of Forests / Chief Wildlife
Warden (Department of Forest, Govt. of
Maharashtra, Nagpur) and Director General of Police – Maharashtra State and
copy of it have been forwarded to Shri Jairam Ramesh – Minister of Environment
& Forests Govt. of India, Smt. Maneka Gandhi (MP) Chairperson : People for
Animals, Shri. Sanjay Dina Patil (MP) Mumbai, Dr. Patangrao S. Kadan – Minister
for Forests Government of Maharashtra, Shri D. Rajasekar (IFS) Secretary – Animal
Welfare Board of India, Dr. Rajesh Gopal – Member Secretary : Central Zoo
Authority, Justice Shri. C.S. Dharmadhikari – Chairman : Committee to Monitor
Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra in regards to Usage of Elephants in Mumbai,
Thane, Vasai, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan area’s for begging which is gross
violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act, 1960 and other animals related laws.
The brief
letter written by PAWS-Mumbai ………………………..
This is to
bring to your notice that despite the order of CCF-Thane vide the above
mentioned Circular, there is widespread usage of Elephants for the purpose of
begging in these area.
The other
problems created for the animals and citizen are :
1. The Elephants are made to walk for long distance without
adequate food and water on Tar road.
2. The Elephants are made to walk long distance at night time too.
3. The Elephants cause traffic jam while they are being taken from
one place to another.
4. The noise due to vehicular traffic and crackers increase the
stress levels of the Elephants.
5. The Elephants do not get proper medical treatment by their
hander when they become sick or injured.
6. Minor children are made to sit over 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 citizen. In past there
was elephant “Laxmi” was met with an accident and later she died.
8. The handlers / owners of the Elephants themselves are poor. Thus
it is very unlikely that they would be able to feed or taken proper care of
these meg-herbivores who require adequate food and medication to live well.
This is to
inform you that often concerned citizens and animal lovers complain to the
Police & Forest Department against this ill-treatment of elephants but
seldom is any action 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. Direst the Police, Local Forest Staff to take appropriate penal
action against the violator, handlers or owners of these animals.
2. Ensure that ownership license of the handlers or owners are
revoked.
3. Constitute an Elephant Welfare Committee (comprising of Police,
Forest officials and representative of animal welfare organizations) who would
direst a team of Elephant handlers to transfer apprehended animals to hospitals
/ wildlife parks / Elephants Camps.
4. Expert “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 and 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 city
limit.
7. We as a citizen of India want to see laws should implement on ground
not want it only on paper.
In the larger
interest of the mute and suffering animals, we request to you to take urgent
steps to prevent abuse and ill-treatment of such animals.
Copy of PAWS-Mumbai Letter send to various law informants authority
NOTE : To view larger image please double click on it
