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………………………..
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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.
NOTE : To view larger image please double click on it
In spite of banning the
elephants from entering the city like Mumbai & Navi Mumbai. I have
personally seen a number of times elephants in Mankhurd (East) area in Mumbai
and near Turbhe Naka in Navi Mumbai, very recently. These elephants are used to
beg from shop owners, passersby and children.
