Wildlife crimes_ illegal trade flourishing day by day

We all know that live or any products of the wildlife in the country is banned according to the Wildlife Protection Act. But at the same time every year we hear that thousands of wildkinds were caught in raids. What does this indicate, it simply says that the wild is not safe in the wild habitat and thus they are easily smuggled from there. Airports and railways have caught many such consignments but have we ever thought what all might be getting transported through other means like the roadways and the water ways?

The live species that are in most demand is for consumption in and around the country. India exports a large number of species to the other countries, the money behind this trade is used to develop the wildlife underworld. More and more animals, birds, reptiles are hunt from their wild natural habitat and either sent to secret breeding centres or are slaughtered to separate the products that are the demand of the market. People do both keep as well as consume wildlife products, and this is followed since ages but with the development in science and culture human had developed so much that it started misusing the brains but hunting and poaching animals on a very large scale other than the usual activities which cause threat to the wild. This has led to a decrease in the population of many species some are endangered and some are on the verge of extinction, but still the species are smuggled and found in large numbers.

The fault is of the system and that is the reason that the fear among the people does not exists as everyone knows that the loop holes in our rulebooks have favourable conditions for the convict. Irrespective of calling it one of the top offense, the guilty are released on bails and there is where the others get motivated to get involved into this world. From a small spider to a tiger everything has tremendous value in the market and the ever increasing demand has made it in the most expensive items of the world. From the nails of a lion to the skin of a tiger or tusk of an elephant or horn of a rhino everything is smuggled. The city has many such illegal practices which are carried on since a very long time and nobody has ever caught or thought to stop it and the ones who have tried have not yet succeeded and will not even do. The main reason is the system and the corruption which is like a good habit followed almost in every sector for every small big purpose. The top most level officials and the concerned authorities are very poor in decision making and communicating to the people so as to make them aware of the things that are supposed to be done and followed. Even wildlife enthusiasts are a part of the crime on a very larger level.

Some of the species that are seen in and out of Mumbai are the red sand boas, the peacock feathers, the tusks of elephants and rhinos, skin of leopards and tigers, nails of lions, meat of monitor lizard, venom of cobra, krait and viper and the list goes on. These products are collected by locals who hand over to the purchasing party who later sell it to the customers.

As wildlife enthusiasts we have attended more than 500 people on phone calls, emails, chats etc where people have demanded different species and products and the main reason within the country for this trend to survive is the blind faith and superstations. People have been crazy to get into this world and see the showers of currency but practically that never happened. We have also got threatening calls for getting involved into this but have managed to be far away till now.

Its very sad on the part of human beings that we misuse the surroundings in such a way and create so much of trouble for the existing species on the planet. Tthe Ministry Of Environment and Forests should take up positive initiative to make the people aware about the protocols and also inculcate respect for other animals. But so far we have seen that nothing much has been achieved till today where we can say the conservation has entered the next level.

And if the same will continue the species on the verge of extinction will extinct soon and the future will never get to see it live in it natural habitat. 

A report on the visits carried out in January 2013 to leopard conflict areas of Aarey colony, Mumbai.- 19/1/2013

To understand what went wrong last year with so many attacks at aarey colony we decided to conduct a survey and figure out some facts and figures that may clear the blur picture of the causes of human wildlife conflict.On 19.1.2013 our team of 10 visited the red alert areas of Aarey colony for a survey
and interaction with the locals and residents of the area so as to get an idea of the
leopard issues faced by people in the area. We visited Maroshi Pada where two
leopard attacks on humans and five leopard trappings had taken place,
Khambachya Pada where one attack had taken place, and Vanichya Pada where one
attack had taken place in recent times.
In Maroshi Pada, we observed a change may be because of the awareness given to
the people by the rescue team and our team the area was much cleaner than before.
The area was well lit during the night and many new lights were added including
at the last house, where the attack on the 17 year old boy had taken place and was
the only house of the area on the top and most close to the forest too.
Mostly every second house had installed lights for their safety, had cleared the
excessive vegetation which had grown and could possibly be a hiding spot for the
leopards at night.
People had become more alert and were taking special care of their children and
live stock, which was a good sign.
The new toilet with a good capacity of users at a time is being constructed, which is
again a positive sign of the awareness programmes carried out there. But at the
same time a new area was flourishing so as to support for a new conflict. It was the
area next to Maroshi Pada and the ground opposite, where leopards are spotted
frequently. The main reason was garbage as we could see a very big and long patch
of unmanaged garbage. People of the adjoining pada (bangoda) not much
interested responding or listening to the awareness may be because nothing had
happened there , so we come across a common human tendency that not to react
unless there is a issue or something has happened , this lack of a proactive interest
in the issue could result in a complacency until a leopard attack occurs.
Important thing here is to look at the unmanaged garbage, as it attracts dogs in
large numbers , also the goats and cows are seen near it, Also to make people
participate and make them realise that it is in their hands to avoid potential conflict.
We also asked the people about the latest leopard spotting and its frequency which
had reduced but wildcats were spotted. However people said that they avoid
moving out in the night and most of the sightings were from inside their houses,
through the windows.
We then moved towards Khambachya Pada, where the latest of all attacks had
happened on a woman who had come to fill water at the above spot. This is the
only spot from where the people from more than 100 houses come to fill water as it
is the only source of fresh water. A need of bright light is really required at this spot
as even the leopards may come for water here plus while coming in the night to fill
water, because its late evening when water comes. There is no pipeline near that
place is the only spot from where fresh water is available, rest there are hand
pumps but that water cannot be used for drinking and cooking. I understood when
i spoke to a group of women who had come there to fill water when we were on the
spot.
In the above picture , we can see that there is too much of vegetation on both sides ,
more important near the toilet , which is required to be cleared from time to time
for a clear visibility, also lights are needed. (can the local youth be assisted to clear
the vegetation? becuase finally they have to take the issue up.) Any unpredictable
incident can cause a leopard attack and also many people may not prefer to use the
toilet at night because of darkness and try going to some other place and it is
observed that during the night dogs are seen companying the people , so there can
be an encounter with a leopard because of the dog.
There is also a hand pump and need of lights and clearing the vegetation near it is
important. The garbage accumulation is again a problem here as people are
allowing garbage to be accumulated near their houses as in the picture below.
There should be a lot of attention on this area as there is a cage installed here, at the
same time lights, garbage and unwanted or excessive vegetation is a platform for
the leopard conflict to happen here.
People have lost hope and are least interested in entertaining anybody, but we still
tried to talk and make them aware but they are over confident or can say a group of
leaders who are representative speakers, do not allow others to speak and only
raise the demanding issues.
We then proceeded towards Vanichya Pada, where we found that the houses are
nearby areas were clean , but at the same time the problem there was the
accumulation of garbage near the temporary toilets which are being used during
the night , here dogs can company humans at night and feed on or get attracted to
the garbage and then leopards can attack them or can mistake a human as prey
which is really possible.
At nights people don’t prefer going to the toilet that have been made and attend
natures call in this place, behind it we can see the garbage. We also told them to go
in pairs in the night so that one person is standing close to the person who is
squatting. The problem with the proper toilets is also like the previous one, there is
excessive vegetation around the area for the leopard to hide in.
The road is covered by garbage which is again a simple act that can lead to a
potential conflict.
There is a movie shooting set and a tabela (large cattle shed) and the whole road
which leads to a picnic point is highly polluted with garbage like plastic
plates ,alcohol bottles, wrappers, carry bags etc.
The following are issues if implemented could lead to lower conflict.
Lights
Garbage
Toilets
Excessive vegetation near houses and toilets
Understanding and making people aware
Dealing with the pressure groups
We tried telling the people that demanding for cages to be installed is not a
solution, the forest department is not the only department that is to be blamed, the
wildcats are not the trouble makers. Also tried telling them that being independent
in the matter of safety will keep them more safe rather than depending on someone
or some institution. some simple steps and practices can keep them more safe than
they are or they feel.
Soon our team will go for another follow up to the same areas.

Leopard distress_report for the month of June and July 2013

On 19/6/2013 - 1:00 AM, our team got a distress call from Highland Park society in Mulund regarding leopard sightings on the compound wall of the society. We visited the spot with the officials of the Mumbai range interacted with the security guards and some residents too.

On 21/6/2013- 12:30 AM, we attended a leopard distress call regarding sightings of a baby leopard with the Mumbai range officials at New Zealand Hostel located in Aarey colony. We visited the area and interacted with the security guards and locals.

On the same day- 2:30 AM, we got a distress call from Mulund regarding leopard entering inside Lok Nisarg society and killed a dog. The video was spread like a virus all around media and many questions were raised on this specific incident. We interacted with the security and residents.

On 22/6/2013 - 4:00 AM, a distress call was made to us from Pine woods society in Mulund regarding leopard sightings near the society. We soon visited the spot and interacted with the security and the available residents.

On 24/6/2013 - 3:30 AM, there were leopard sightings inside Sardar Tara Singh garden. We visited the area and interacted with the security guards.

On 26/6/2013 - 11:30 PM, a distress call was made from Lok Nisarg society regarding frequent leopard visits in the premises of their building and insisting on the trapping of the cat. We interacted with the residents and security.

27/6/2013- 5:30 AM, a distress call was made from Teak Woods society regarding a stray dog being killed by a leopard in front of the society. We soon attended the society and interacted with the people there.

On 19/7/2013 - evening with the Yeoor Rescue Team and RFO Mr. Salgavkar we visited Swastik society located in Thane. Leopard expert Krishna Tiwari also was also present with us. The people pressurised on trapping and removing the wild cat, we all tried our best to make them understand to take precautions and rectify the human errors because of which the leopards are facing problems and thus take an initiative so as to help in co existing with them leading to better conservation and welfare of wildlife in the city.

In all our interactions with the security and residents of various societies – we performed the following tasks:

1.       Providing the emergency contact numbers of the Mumbai Range and SGNP.

2.       Informed people about the different tasks and duties performed and jurisdiction covered by both SGNP and Mumbai Range.

3.       Made people aware of the basic safety and security tips that they can follow to avoid human-leopard conflict.

4.       Informed that only trapping is not the real solution and shared our thoughts by which they can take right initiatives so as to support the wildlife by participation and interaction with the department.

Also made them aware of our role and provided with our helpline numbers too. 
The attitude of the people towards the wildlife has worsen over the years and now it is felt by the majority that the wildlife within the city is of great threat to the human lives and thus people demand to the concerned wildlife officials to relocate them as soon as they are sighted. 

15/7/2013 - Croc in a wrong lake_Mumbai

We received a distress call from B.M.C (L - ward) Kurla and few locals  regarding sightings of baby crocodiles inside Sheetal Talao which comes under the jurisdiction of B.M.C. The complaint stated that there are five baby crocodiles released inside the lake few days ago which was creating panic amongst the locals because the lake was used for Ganpati Visarjan which is months away and thus the presence of crocodiles in the lake was considered as a safety issue. We were also told that small children swim in the lake and thus chances of Human-wildlife conflict were more and an immediate help was needed so as to avoid it.

We then decided to visit the site and make a survey of the lake and try locating the reptile. As soon as we reached the spot and started interaction with the B.M.C officials and locals, we were shown videos and photographs of a baby crocodile. We soon intimated the control room and carried out our further survey.Our team of 16 members carried out a survey at the spot from the afternoon to midnight of the above date mentioned. We came across some facts and also observed some activities carried out there which according to us is of high concern and immediate action should be taken regarding the same.

1.       We tried to locate the reptile which included ten hour monitoring divided in to two parts, five hours in the day time and five hours during the night but did not locate any crocodile in the lake.

2.       We came across some photographs and videos of a crocodile, which according to the locals was caught and taken away by some unknown person/authority to an unknown place. As the reptile comes under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act giving it highest priority and immediate enquiry has to be made regarding who caught the crocodile and where is it taken.

3.       We also came across the fact that the lake is used for fishing, and many flap shelled turtles which were fished out of the lake which too come under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

4.       The lake is used by many people for dumping foreign species of fishes and turtles which disturbs and destroys the natural habitat of the native species throwing a challenge to their survival. Thus a high security check has to be implemented by the concerned authorities to stop these activities.

5.       We also came across the fact that the lake needs to be maintained better, by cleaning it from time to time as a good number of aquatic wildlife resides in it and thus an initiative for their betterment and welfare must be undertaken. The eye opening incident is shameful and requires to be looked up on seriously, or else there will be no point in taking up big initiatives just to show of!

15/8/2013 - Abandoned horse left to die on the streets.

In another case of negligence by the animal owners horse was found abandoned on the foot path near Chembur yesterday. Animal lover Chirag Katira while returning back home spotted a collapsed horse on the side of the road, he soon reduced the vehicles gear and got down to see what was wrong with the animal. Soon some more people gathered around the horse and started approaching some animal rescuers.

“I was on my home when I saw a horse collapsed on the service lane of the highway and found no owner or care taker anywhere. I called up an NGO for help and decided to wait till help reached” said Katira.

Within an hour a team from Mulund came forward for help with a tempo arranged so as to shift the horse to animal hospital. Members from RAWW(Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) reached the spot to rescue it. “It was late night and we knew that animal ambulances would not be available and thus decided to arrange for a tempo in advance as the caller described that the animal was critical. We lifted the horse and loaded it into the tempo with the help of the locals and our team and left to reach the hospital, the whole rescue act was in the presence of the police officials” said Darshan Patel , who leaded the rescue team.

The animal was safely taken to SPCA and was admitted there for further care and treatment. “We are sure that the owner will not turn up as the animal is ill and thus abandoned so as to escape from taking care and treatment of the horse. It’s a Male horse with few external injuries and major internal injuries and thus is not able to balance its body. We will be treating the horse and taking its proper care in our animal shelter” said Colonel Khanna the head of SPCA.

“We will be following up with the case and try to find the owner and approach right authorities to take legal actions for such an act of cruelty” said Patel.  “The horse is in a miserable condition and its treatment has started. It is suffering from severe joint disorder and there are less chances of its recovery due to old age. We will be treating the horse with the best of medications and care” said Dr.Lokhande who has taken charge of the treatment and well being of the horse.

According to the latest surveys we came across the facts that more than 80 percent of the horse owners in Mumbai are illegal and do not have official permit to keep them within the city limits, we strongly criticize the vigilance of the concerned authorities and expect strong actions against the cruel owners of such animals.  

Domesticated wildlife _say not to it

Elephants being protected under the schedule 1 of the Wildlife protection Act 1972 were sold since years and people were allowed to purchase and use it to earn daily living in both legal and illegal ways. The wildkinds were exploited and are being done even today all over the country. The best example of the worst treatment to these species which are under highest level of priority to be protected in the whole nation was from the richest city of Mumbai.

Two such elephants Bijlee (58) and Laxmi (18) lived in Mulund a famous suburb of the city with their owners who were a family of more than 20 individuals totally dependent on the elephants for their daily bread. Irrespective of the ban by the High court on elephants within city limits the duo were maintained fearlessly. They were made to walk for hours begging on the streets everyday with no proper food, water and medical support whenever needed Controlled by the mahouts who used a pointed iron rod. No proper paper work and health certificates were maintained or produced whenever needed. Their hair and urine was sold for thousands of rupees, ears pierced to decorate them with flowers during festive seasons or on a birthday or a threading ceremony of the rich. No regular health check up was done until June 2013 when Bijlee collapsed in the compound of a garage and could not get up on her own since 24 hours. We monitored her 24*7 assisting the doctors and the forest department officials who had turned up to rescue her. The 58 year old was daily lifted up with the help of a crane and man power for 19 days but unfortunately stopped responding to medications and rejected food and water during the last 3 days. After doctors gave up it was decided to form a committee of CZA to think about euthanization, but before any decision was taken the poor succumbed to a painful death naturally. The best doctors of the country who had treated her declared that she was overweight and was suffering from traumatic arthritis, degenerative joint disorder(other than the external injuries) which was because of unhealthy feeding habits ( Bijlee ate lodoos,chapaties fried in ghee and lot more). It was very tough to treat her where she was and was not in a condition to be shifted to another state as our city and state had no infrastructure and provisions for the treatment of elephants. Bijlee died a very unfortunate death in spite of living more in captivity compared to life in wild habitat where the factor of survival of the fittest matters most. We do not want to see anymore elephant going through the same traumatic and torture in future. It is the right time to strike and raise a voice to the concerned authorities to get into action and set an example and relocate all the elephants to a better place. The best example of the best action is again from our city, Laxmi who lived with Bijlee was confistigated by the forest department and rehabilitated to a rehabilitation centre at Mathura where today she is leading a better life.

Official report since 2012 - March 2013_wildlife distress@Mumbai

A report on the wildlife rescues / conflicts/awareness  that our team attended in 2012- March 2013 with Mumbai range and SGNP Rescue Team.

1.   On   April 21, 2012 when a leopard had entered the basement of N.E.S school in Mulund (W) throwing a challenge to the forest department. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team successfully rescued the leopard from the school by trapping it.

2.   One month later on May18, 2012 a 6 foot crocodile was spotted at Ganesh pada in Mulund (W) in a nullah. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team successfully rescued the crocodile.

3.   One month later on June 28, 2012 a couple of leopards had entered in the premises of IIT (Powai) and had created distress and panic among the people there. Officers from the Mumbai range SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and found the leopards mating, we followed the leopards and next day the leopards were chased and sent to the park. No harm to anybody including the two wildcats leading to a successful operation.

4.   One month later on July 15, 2012 a 6 year old girl Sanjana Thorat was killed by a leopard when she was attending natures call outside her house at Shankar Tekdi in Mulund (W). Officers from Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and began the rescue operation as it was night and heavily raining the body was recovered next morning.

5.   On July 18, 2012 a baby crocodile was rescued from water pumping station at Bhandup water purification plant by SGNP Rescue Team, Mumbai range officers and our team.

6.   Four months later on November 2, 2012 a 52 year old Sitabai Paghe was killed by a leopard when she was attending natures call at Maroshi pada in Aarey milk colony. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team, and our team reached the spot and set up a trap cage on the spot.

7.   Next day on November 3, 2012 a male leopard was trapped at Maroshi pada in Aarey milk colony. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and safely loaded the leopard into the rescue van which then took it to the rescue centre at SGNP.

8.   On November 5, 2012 dead body of a 60 plus year old man was found in the premises of the national park , the body was eaten by a leopard. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and carried out the further investigations and proceedings.

9.    On November 19, 2012 two leopards were trapped at Maroshi pada in Aarey milk colony early morning and late evening. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and rescued them, and then they  were  taken to the park.

10.                     On November 20, 2012 a 2 year old girl Usha Yadav was killed by a leopard when she was attending natures call at Tembi pada near Bhandup. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot , the body was recovered from Bhandup water purification plant’s premises.

11.                      On December 2, 2012 a leopard had entered ONGC society in Jogeshwari early in the morning. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot, the leopard tranquilized and safely rescued from the complex and brought to the rescue centre in the park.

12.                     On December 7, 2012 a 50 plus year old security guard Anthony Fernandez was killed by a leopard inside the premises of Bhandup water purification plant. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and carried out the further investigations and proceedings.

13.                     On December 18, 2012 two leopards had fell inside a 20 feet long pit at a fort in Ghorbandar in thane. SGNP rescue team and our team had gone for the rescue , but when we reached the spot the leopards managed to escape from the pit with the help of a ladder that the villagers had put in the pit.

14.                     On January 1, 2013 a 19 year old boy Vinod Hadal was attacked but not killed by a leopard, when he came out of his house to attend natures call at Maroshi pada in Aarey milk colony. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and installed trap cages and night patrolling in the area.

15.                     On January 7, 2013 a leopard attacked and injured 25 year old Savita Varthe when she was filling water late in the evening at Mathai pada in Aarey milk colony. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot and laid down a trap to catch the leopard and also started night patrolling. On the similar day in the morning a man was injured by a leopard in unit no.28 in the same area, our team with the SGNP Rescue Team visited the area.

16.                     On January 14, 2013 a female leopard was trapped at Maroshi pada in Aarey milk colony. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP rescue team and our team reached the spot, rescued the leopard and brought it to the rescue centre in the park.

17.                     On January 26, 2013 another female leopard was trapped at Mathai pada in Aarey milk colony where a woman was injured two weeks ago. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP rescue team and our team rescued the cat and brought it to the rescue centre.

18.                     On January 26, 2013 a leopard killed a 10 year old Saurabh Yadav at Adarsh nagar in Aarey milk colony in the evening. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team reached the spot, surveyed the area and laid down a trap. We also started night patrolling in the area.

19.                     On January 31, 2013 a female leopard walked into the trap which was set at Adarsh nagar in Aarey milk colony. Officers from the Mumbai range, SGNP Rescue Team and our team rescued the leopard and brought it to the rescue centre in the park.

Other than this we also carried out awareness program with groups, individuals, security guards, residents, workers etc at the places wherever the conflict took place. The areas we covered are as follows,

ü Shankar tekdi – Mulund

ü IIT –  Powai

ü Yogi hills – Mulund

ü Tembi pada – Bhandup

ü Bhandup water purification plant

ü Royal palms – Aarey

ü Maroshi pada – Aarey

ü Mathai pada – Aarey

ü Tabelas (cow sheds)

ü Adarsh nagar