Forest dept turns blind eye to wildlife rescue activities……hitarthpandya
The recent mudslinging among NGOs involved in wildlife rescue in Vadodara has exposed the lack of any strict monitoring system at the state Forest Department level.
The Department has never checked or conducted raids at the so-called rescue centers in Vadodara and Surat, which has led to irregularities (in keeping the animals) and even illegal activities under the forest rules.
In Vadodara, a wildlife activist group has circulated a CD showing scheduled animals and birds in pitiable condition at the residence of Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) member Snehal Bhavsar.
Ashok Pawar of Crocodile Group, which circulated the CD said: Snehal Bhavsar has harassed many activists and commoners in the name of animal activism. We have circulated this CD only to highlight the conditions in which the animals are kept. We will give the CD to the Forest Department and the Animal Welfare Board of India so that they also know whom they are dealing with.
One her part, Bhavsar said, The visuals are set up. We suspect that an old volunteer had deliberately kept the dead birds and animals inside our cages in a bid to malign my image. I have lodged a complaint of house break-in with the Sayajigunj police. If the Forest Department wants they can always check the condition of the birds and animals at my place.
Incidentally, the local Forest Department officers are not even aware about how many animal activists are involved in wildlife rescue and where the rescued animals are kept.
In Surat, the Forest Department has never even carried out a raid to inspect the conditions at the rescue centres owned by NGOs. The officers are also unaware of the number of volunteers actually trained to handle deadly reptiles and animals.
Its question of good faith and reputation of the NGO and that is why they never check the place where we keep the birds and animals, said a member of an wildlife rescue organisation in Surat.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) R V Asari told The Indian Express: There is a lack of system where NGO activities are inspected on regular basis. We will try and introduce a system where NGOs are monitored thoroughly. We will also ensure that wildlife does not remain with them under any circumstances.
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Forest-dept-turns-blind-eye-to-wildlife-rescue-activities/647709
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/forest-dept-turns-blind-eye-to-wildlife-rescue-activities/647709/2