Inspite of the ban on elephants, for the past one week one could see two elephants in the area around the Chembur market begging from the shopkeepers, in the midst of the heavy traffic. After the death of Lakshmi, the residents of Chembur are concerned about the welfare of elephants.
Says Arvind Gopalswamy, resident of Road No 10, “I have argued with these mahouts hundreds of time, but with no result. Every week on Tuesday, this elephant begs on the streets of Chembur. The government should take strict action to protect these animals from further harassment.”
Keeping these factors in view, the Government of Maharashtra in a recent order had stated that elephants will no longer be allowed in the city. This action has been taken after reviewing a graphic report submitted by PETA elucidating the cruelty endured by elephants in cities, the elephant menace and its harmful impact on human health, life and property. Also most of the elephants in the Eastern suburbs are without a valid ownership certificate and will be asked to leave the city.
“All elephants in the city of Mumbai are without a valid ownership certificate and will be asked to leave the city,” says Shree Bhagwan - chief conservator of Forests, Thane (MS). He adds, “At present, there are 14 elephants in the city, all owned by five to six families living in and around the central suburbs.”
The PETA report presented to K L Prasad, joint commissioner of police (Law and Order) and Shree Bhagwan pointed out many of the problems associated with allowing elephants on roads and outside temples in the city, including cruelty to elephants, the threat to human life and property, and the possible transmission of tuberculosis and anthrax to humans. PETA also pointed out the violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; the Performing Animals (Registration) Rule, 2001; the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959; and the Bombay Police Act with regard to the import and use of elephants in Bombay.
The activists said the elephants - used for begging by their handlers or else rented out for weddings - were mistreated. It was alleged that the animals were not properly fed, that they suffered from foot and skin ailments after walking on hot streets and that when they were not being used to make money the animals were chained up for hours barely able to move.
When not working, the elephants were chained to posts and unable to move. Most lived under busy highway overpasses. Says Vinita Jaiswal, animal welfare activist and resident of Deonar, “Under the Mankhurd bridge it was a common sight to see Rani, the elephant being tied there and owner giving her dry grass to eat. She was trained to beg and the owner would train her in it..”
Bhagwan, however, is positive about the new plan. “The idea is to keep the animal away from the city roads and not victimise the owners. I have asked my staff to request owners to leave the city limits, maybe even guide them to do it. There, at least the elephants will be spared the harassment of walking on tar roads amid traffic. Of course, if they aren’t cooperative, we will have to use force.
But even after a week of the ban, one could see the poor animal walking on the tar rods eating whatever is being offered to them by the passerby in the Eastern suburbs.
http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP1ART084200720636