After citizens alert them about elephant being made to beg on the streets of Dahisar, callous forest department officials claim they can’t find mammoth animal despite 2 days of searching
No matter how big the problem is, you can trust the authorities to turn a blind eye.
The Forest Department (FD) cannot spot an elephant that has been seen walking around in Dahisar, forced to beg, in direct violation of the Wildlife Protection Act.
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Also read: Despite ban, elephant found begging near Dahisar station
A local took a picture of the elephant walking around in Dahisar with the mahout on its back, begging for money
On Friday evening, a local resident was shocked to see the pachyderm walking near the Western Express Highway, carrying the mahout on its back.
It was allegedly being forced to beg on the street, even though this is banned in the city. In fact, the FD had itself issued a circular in 2013 reminding citizens that there is a ban on such exploitation of elephants within city limits.
Also read: Activist attacked for objecting to use of elephant at religious event
However, two whole days after this sighting, the Forest Department claims it simply hasn’t been able to find the giant animal.
“I was shocked to see an elephant walking on the streets of Dahisar and begging — this is against the law.
If a common man like me can see such a huge animal, why can’t the authorities take immediate action against the owner who is using this majestic creature for the purpose of begging? I even informed the FD officials about this, but they are yet to find the animal,” said the Dahisar resident, who clicked a photograph of the animal.
Also read: Mahout gets Rs 40,000 shoes for elephant to wear in film shoots
This is hardly the first time this has happened. In January 2014, mid-day had reported how an elephant was spotted begging at the busy road near Dahisar station.
Official speak
The Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) from the Mumbai Territorial Range of Thane FD Kishor Thakare said, “Our FD officials are investigating the matter and we will find the elephant.”
Sources from FD added that they had visited the area immediately after receiving the tip-off, but they were unable to trace the animal. “It will be wrong to say that we are not searching for the animal. Immediately after we received the information, we reached the spot and even enquired with the locals, but we were unable to get any information. We know one person in Dahisar who has an elephant. We will also speak with him to check if it was his elephant that was seen on Friday evening,” said an official.
‘Unacceptable’
Pawan Sharma from NGO Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) said, “Elephants are the largest living land animals. The forest department’s claim that they are unable to trace an elephant, that too within city limits, is simply unacceptable. If the forest department actually wants, it won’t even take a day to find and seize the elephant and initiate its rehabilitation.”
Also read: Man served notice for making elephants beg in Mumbai
“Elephants go through a lot of cruelty in the name of religious sentiments. From their hair to their urine and dung, all fetch good money for the owners, who then make them walk and beg on roads without proper food, water or medication.”
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