 |
| On 12 June 2013 later the Bijli owner made her walk the distance from the accident site to his home. This over-strain made the elephant collapse near the house on the road. |
In the letter send by PAWS-Mumbai which is signed by
Despite the order 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 by Mr & Mrs Goswami for the purpose of begging in these areas. Also the two elephants are being neglected and abused.
 |
| On 11
June 2013 a day after Bijli was hit by a moving vehicle at mulund and the owner is cleaning the wound and washing the body with water without any medical treatment |
Please note
that a moving vehicle had injured one elephant and later the owner made her
walk the distance from the accident site to his home. This over-strain made the
elephant collapse near the house on the road.
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.
 |
|
On 11 June 2013 other elephant owned by Bijli Owner, was seen using for begging near Mulund Railway Station - West |
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 levels 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 taken for joy-rides.
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 handlers / 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, water and medication to live well.
9. The owner sells the tail hairs as good-luck charms.
Please note that since the two elephants are illegally possessed and abused which violates the following laws :
 |
| PAWS-Mumbai Complaint Letter Page 1 |
- Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act 1960 ;
- Wildlife Protection Act
1972;
- Indian Penal Code 1860;
- Bombay Police Act 1951 etc.
Also, it
should be noted that this owner is in possession of another elephant which is
also abused and used for begging and joy rides.
The two animals are used purely for commercial purpose by letting them
out for begging on the streets and for joy-rides. It should be noted that earlier too, due to
complaints from animal-welfare groups to the Police, action has been taken by
the Police and the Forest Dept. for violation of the animal protection laws.
But yet the abuse and commercial use continues unabated by the owners.
 |
| PAWS-Mumbai Complaint Letter Page 2 |
Citizens
have constantly complained against the presence of huge animals on the streets
for commercial use and joy rides, but for reasons best known to the
law-enforcement agencies, deterrent action has not been taken so far.
We urge you to do the following at the earliest :
- Kindly inspect the documents
which prove that these two elephants are owned and transported in a legal manner
into the city limit which is mandatory as per the law (e.g. Ownership Certificate, Transit Permit,
Medical Fitness Certificate from and authorized Veterinarian, Certificate
of Implantation of Microchip, Elephant Insurance Policy, etc.).
- Inspect the availability of
space and capability of the owners to keep, nurture, feed and protect the
two elephants.
- If it is found that the two
elephants are possessed illegally and ill-treated, then kindly seize them
and transfer them to animal rehabilitation centre.
- On the basis of the investigations done by us and the news-paper reports, photographs etc. we urge you to kindly register an FIR against the owners of the elephants.
We request you to inform us of
the action taken on the above complaint as early as possible in the interest of
the mute and un-complaining animals.
For more information Please call PAWS-Mumbai Activist Sunish Subramanian Kunju on +91 9892179542
More Photographs
Chief Conservator of Forest Thane
Circular No.D-8(4)/WLP/OW/128/07-08, Thane 400 603
Dated 24/7/2007
The Indian Elephant is listed at S.No. 12-B in Schedule
-1 of The Wildlife (Protection) Ame ndment Act 2002. This animal is brought
within the limits of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal
Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation. The activities carried out by Indian
Elephant is in violation of section 2(7A) read with Section 2(39), 38H, 43 and
42 of Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002.
In
order to s top 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, Any possession with the limits
of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane
Municipal Corporation without ownership certificate from Forest Department,
Maharashtra is treated illegal possession and action will be taken under
Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002 and other related laws.
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