tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48092541256059525662024-03-12T18:03:54.186-07:00Animal Rights IndiaAmruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.comBlogger493125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-86667494131701619772013-03-17T08:47:00.002-07:002013-03-17T08:47:30.188-07:00Human system more attuned to vegetarian diet, says seer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-18/allahabad/37159538_1_digestive-tract-carnivores-humans</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ALLAHABAD: The Kriyayoga practice points out that mature (ripe) grains, seeds and fruits are the food best suited for human beings given their consumption and digestion needs and structure. The human eyes, ears, teeth and tongue and length of the digestive tract shows that humans are basically frugivorous (consumers of fruits and seeds) in nature. Canine teeth, very well developed in carnivores (meat-eaters and predators), are rudimentary in human beings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Human eyes do not like to see slaughtering of animals, and ears do not like the cry of animals, neither can the tongue appreciate the taste of meat thrown on the street. They never enjoy chewing the bones scattered at the bank of rivers or in the forest whereas carnivorous animals enjoy chewing the bones as if it were delicious candy. Human beings can enjoy fruits found on the ground but would never appreciate consuming scattered decaying meat left on the side of a road. These were the insights into humans and their food habits by international spiritual leader Swami Shree Yogi Satyam who delivered his message to pilgrims attending the Kriyayoga Camp at Mukti Marg in Kumbh Mela. He stated that humans enjoy non-vegetarian food only when it is fried or mixed with certain spices to mask their taste. Carnivores enjoy even rotten and putrefied meat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He added that the length of the digestive tract in carnivores is short compared to human beings, whereas the digestive tract of herbivores is much longer compared to carnivores and human beings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Observation shows that herbivores are meant to eat grasses and stems of plants. Carnivores are made to eat meat while human beings are structured biologically to eat fruits and seeds. In herbivores, the longer digestive tract is suitable to digest and absorb grasses and stems. If herbivores are fed a good quantity of fruits and seeds they get sick. In the same way, the digestive tract of carnivores is fit to digest meat and animal parts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Animal products, meat and organs should not remain in the digestive system for a long time to avoid growth of harmful bacteria and viruses. Carnivores, therefore, have a shorter digestive tract compared to herbivores and humans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humans have started eating wrong foods due to inhuman and unnatural thoughts. All thoughts and ideas which create segregation are unnatural thoughts. These can be erased through constant practice of Kriyayoga meditation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The consumption of vegetarian food has been accepted more in western countries as research studies prove that eating meat and dairy products leads to illnesses in particular heart disease and cancer.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-80604867307953282082013-03-15T09:05:00.000-07:002013-03-15T09:05:46.936-07:00Want to adopt a vegan lifestyle?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-09/diet/37580686_1_vegan-animal-products-mock-meat</span></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Natalie-Portman" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Natalie Portman</a> to Beyonce and Chris Martin, several celebs are advocating veganism. Are we ready for it?</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veganism is slowly gaining ground as a lifestyle choice. It's finding strong support, notwithstanding the debate that surrounds it. Here's more on the subject...</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veganism vs vegetarianism</span></strong></div>
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It's <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/The-Practice" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">the practice</a> of is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or poultry. Vegans, in addition to being vegetarian, do not use other animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps derived from animal products.</div>
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<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Yes" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Yes</a>, you need not have a certain body type or physicalframe to follow this diet.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clothing is going vegan too!</span></strong></div>
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Being vegan is not just in diet, but also excludes animal products from one's clothing, cosmetics, household goods and things used everyday. Of these, clothing choices is gaining ground. People opt for cotton and synthetics. Leather or <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Silk" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">silk</a> is an absolute no-no.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The debate:</strong></div>
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Those in favour of this regime maintain that animal products are toxic for the body. They say plant foods provide adequate amounts of minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. An expert says it lowers cholesterol levels and vegans have fewer indigestion problems. The diet thus offers cardiovascular benefits. Since it includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains and unprocessed foods it is believed to be more nutritious.</div>
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Another doctor argues that the human body is designed to eat meat and underlines the importance of it. He says meat is a huge source of protein, iron, minerals and calcium. Experts also say this eating pattern allows no room for an intake of vitamin B12. Unfortunately for vegans, the only source of B12 is only via a supplement. One way out is to separate meat eating from fat on the meat. Pediatric doctors also maintain a vegan ideal is not ideal for kids as it offers less energy.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A dating site for vegans</span></strong></div>
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If you're following the vegan pattern of eating and want to only meet someone who does similarly, it's now possible. Sites dedicated to vegetarians and vegans are increasingly popping up. So, if you want to find a vegan mate, chances are you can do so! Happy hunting!</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vegan weddings on the rise</span></strong></div>
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Natalie Portman and <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Benjamin-Millepied" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Benjamin Millepied</a> had a vegan wedding and recently, actress <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Anne-Hathaway" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Anne Hathaway</a> who wed jewellery designer Adam Shulman had a reception with complete vegan menu. More and more people are also choosing to go meatless and dairy-less at a</div>
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wedding. Brides are opting to wear richer cottons and synthetic silks instead of silk. The menus too, are</div>
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following vegan pattern. Will vegan style weddings overthrow the usual trend here too?</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alternatives </span></strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tips for going vegan:</strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Meat:</strong> Use mock meat, tofu, soya chunks or soya mince, mushrooms or root vegetables. Mock meat such as faux chicken, mutton, fish and more can be used.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ghee or butter:</strong> Use vegetable oils instead of ghee. Instead of butter, cook with vegetable margarines and oils.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Eggs in baking:</strong> Use self-rising flour, which is available in the market. Tofu, bananas, applesauce, pumpkin, squash, prunes and mashed potatoes are all good egg substitutes, depending on the nature of the dish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Milk:</strong> Almond, coconut or soya milk can be used instead.</span></div>
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Heat the oil in and add the mushrooms to it. Sprinkle salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes. Pour the coconut cream over this. Now add the water and spring onion and cook further for a few minutes. Serve with rice.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Alicia-Silverstone" style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alicia Silverstone</span></a></strong></div>
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The actress is a huge advocate of veganism and a site quotes her as saying, "Once I became vegan, my nails were stronger, my skin was glowing, I lost a lot of weight... Going vegan is the single best thing I've done in my life." Silverstone has also written a book on the subject and launched her own site to go with it.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beyonce</span></strong></div>
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The R n B singer is said to keep her pregnancy weight away by having one vegan meal a day. She had admitted in an interview that she avoids eating animal products to maintain her fit, post-baby body. According to a magazine, even during her pregnancy she and hubby <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Jay-Z" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Jay-Z</a>both stuck to a 'partially-vegan' diet to stay healthy.</div>
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<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Coldplay" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Coldplay</a> frontman <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Chris-Martin" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Chris Martin</a> and his actress wife <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Gwyneth-Paltrow" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Gwyneth Paltrow</a>, are known for their love of vegan cuisine. So much so, that he apparently even provided a healthier alternative to the traditional birthday <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Cake" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">cake</a> for his daughter Apple's first birthday in 2005. This was an apple cake made at a vegan eatery!</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Natalie Portman</span></strong></div>
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The Oscar-winning actress has been a vegetarian since childhood and she is said to have adopted veganism after reading the book Eating Animals by <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Jonathan-Safran-Foer" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Jonathan Safran Foer</a>. Natalie now doesn't eat or wear any animal products, and even launched her own vegan shoe line. Quite impressive!</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pamela Anderson</span></strong></div>
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Model and actress <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Pamela-Anderson" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pamela Anderson</a> who became a vegetarian as a teenager, regularly stands up for animal rights. A site quotes her having admitted that she feels better on a vegan diet. She switched to a vegan diet an and credited the plant-based eating plan for helping her stay fit.</div>
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Actor <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Tobey-Maguire" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Tobey Maguire</a> is said to have banned all leather from his house too! He is a supporter of healthy vegetarian options for school lunches and takes a strict adherence to eating this way. Word also has it that for his role as Spiderman, he bulked up by eating lots of tofu.</div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-33654492972950385652013-03-15T08:58:00.003-07:002013-03-15T09:06:10.663-07:003 animal rights activists from Navi Mumbai feliciated<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-08/mumbai/37560225_1_stray-animals-stray-dogs-animal-rights</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MUMBAI: Three brave Navi Mumbai based <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Women" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">women</a> who are fighting for animal rights against all odds, were among those honoured with Women Achievers Awards at Powai on the eve of International Women's Day on Thursday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The three activists - Aditi Lahiri, Roshni Majumdar and Rinki Banerji - were awarded for their animal welfare work in Navi Mumbai at the function organised by Young Environmentalists Programme Trust.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lahiri has been helping stray animals in the satellite city for over 10 years despite suffering from cancer, while Majumdar is a young MBA student who was beaten up and molested by local goons in Sanpada for feeding an injured stray dog last year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rinki Banerji was recently assaulted by a mob of animal-haters in New Panvel where she had gone to protect the stray dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the other awardees at the event were theatre personality Dolly Thakore, actor and TV host Sophia Hayat, activist Abha Singh, disabled yet successful working woman Preeti Sagotra, author Kiran Manral, classical musician Sunita Bhuyan, lawyer Rita Abraham, social service person Dr Mithu Alur and Miss Universe contestant Shilpa Singh among others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talking to TOI, Majumdar said: "In June last year, six youngsters had attacked me and my cousin in Sanpada just because I used to feed a disabled stray dog. I got these goons arrested, but unfortunately, a false police complaint was also lodged against my cousin to harass us further."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organiser Elsie Gabriel of YEPT added: "Along with Mazumdar, even Banerji is very brave to fight back an angry mob in New Panvel for the rights of animals. Hats off to all the three ladies."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all, 23 women from different social spheres and activities were honoured at Rodas ecotel in Powai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It is tough to fight for stray dogs and cats, as many housing societies are openly hostile towards animals, and even poison them to death. We need proper animal centres to do effective sterilisations of the strays. However, compassion must be shown by all individuals towards the mute animals," added Lahiri.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uncle had sexually abused me: Sophia Hayat</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The glamorous actress and TV show host, Sophia Hayat, revealed her dark and disturbing past about child sex abuse. When I was only 10, my uncle had sexually abused me. I want to tell everyone that behind this glamour doll image of mine lurks a disturbed childhood,'' said Sophia at the function in Powai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She later told TOI, Through my story, I want to reach out to all the young girls who may be in a similar situation; in order to help them fight back against such horrid sex pests and assaulters.''</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sophia also mentioned that this childhood incident of hers did affect her in many ways, but now she is happy to have come out of it in a positive way to contribute to the society, especially other minor girls, who can also be in a vulnerable situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daniel Chatterton of Green-team Rodas, commented: It is wonderful to welcome achievers who inspire. By sharing their success more women will reach for the stars." The theme of the event was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy: 'Be the change that you would like to see'.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-4941322824453649562013-02-28T02:15:00.002-08:002013-02-28T02:17:05.884-08:00HC gives green signal for tail docking, ear cropping of pet dogs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/hc-gives-green-signal-for-tail-docking-ear-cropping-of-pet-dogs/article4456192.ece</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Docking the tail or cropping the ears of your pet dog does not amount to mutilation and cannot be treated as cruelty to the animal, the Madras High Court has ruled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The court also ruled that neither the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) nor the Veterinary Council of India has any authority to prohibit registered veterinarians from performing tail docking and ear cropping of certain breeds of pet dogs such as Doberman, Cocker Spaniel, Great Danes and Boxer at the request of their owners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allowing a writ petition filed by Kennel Club of India (KCI), Justice D. Hariparanthaman quashed a notice issued by the veterinary council on November 11, 2011, directing all registered veterinarians in the country to stop forthwith the practice of performing the two surgical procedures on pups. The notice had warned the veterinarians of stringent action if they were found to be continuing the practice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was issued on the basis of a letter written to the council by the AWBI Chairman who had opined that the surgical procedures cause mutilation and therefore amount to violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chairman had also claimed that many countries including the United Kingdom had banned the two surgical procedures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Assailing the notice, KCI contended that the two surgical procedures actually make the dogs look good and stay alert besides preventing ear infection and injuries on the tails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further, drawing an analogy, the petitioner club said that the chairman’s view was akin to declaring as illegal the act of people choosing to perform circumcision and piercing the ears and noses of their newborn children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After recording submissions made by both sides, the judge said that tail docking and ear cropping would not amount to mutilating the pets and therefore dog lovers or owners could not be accused of such an offence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though the term ‘mutilation’ had not been defined under the PCA Act, the judge relied on the meanings found in various dictionaries to arrive at the conclusion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not wanting to go into the correctness of articles and books written about the two surgical procedures, Mr. Justice Hariparanthaman pointed out that the procedures were only regulated and not prohibited in the UK. The AWBI and the veterinary council had not disputed the fact that dogs belonging to the police department were also subjected to ear cropping and tail docking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He stated that the notice under challenge was bad in law as the AWBI’s statutory role was restricted to advising the Centre. It was up to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to give effect to the advice by invoking its rule making power under Section 38 of the PCA Act. But no such rule had been framed with regard to the present issue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make things worse, the veterinary council had issued the notice on the basis of a letter written by the AWBI’s chairman alone and not the Board as such.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In my view, the AWBI is different from chairman… Section 9 of the Act contemplates providing of advice by AWBI and not by the chairman… Hence, the advisory of the chairman cannot be treated as the decision of AWBI,” the judge added.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-28791791606373581242013-02-28T02:14:00.003-08:002013-02-28T02:16:33.109-08:00Imran Khan all set to open animal shelter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-22/news-interviews/37222353_1_animal-shelter-avantika-malik-imran-khan</i></span></span></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imran Khan's love for rescuing strays is known. The actor is so passionate about the cause that he, along with his mother Nuzhat and wife Avantika Malik, work dedicatedly towards rescuing stray dogs and cats, trying to put them up for adoption.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, the actor intends to take his passion to the next level and has bought a few acres on the outskirts of Mumbai, where the rescued animals will be kept till someone is ready to adopt them — or for life if need be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A source says, "The star has purchased close to four acres and he will convert this into an animal shelter. He has plans to hire in-house veterinary doctors and staff who will attend to the rescued animals."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When asked if this was true, Imran said, "This is a cause that resonates with me. If I didn't do this, there would be no me. I'm that passionate about it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He refrains from speaking about the animal shelter as yet, because plans are still underway. However, even as we speak, Imran has five cats and one dog at his Pali Hill residence and all of them have either been picked up from the street or brought to him by friends and neighbours who know the animals will find care.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-65252823179132912952013-02-02T04:40:00.003-08:002013-02-02T04:40:52.510-08:00Women beat up activist over feeding stray dogs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Women-beat-up-activist-over-feeding-stray-dogs/articleshow/18298885.cms</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAVI MUMBAI: Animal activist Rinki Banerjee (30), on Thursday, lodged a non-cognizable complaint against a group of women, who allegedly beat her up for supporting the cause of feeding stray dogs in Sector 11 at the New Panvel police station.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Thursday, Banerjee went to Sector 11 after resident Sandhya Parekh informed her that locals were not allowing her to feed strays. "The women, who claimed to be from a political party, surrounded me. One of the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Women" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">women</a> pulled my hair and started slapping me, while others egged her on," said Banerjee. "When I started hitting the woman back, they retreated".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parekh said: "The locals must realise that it is our constitutional right to feed animals."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The women have lodged a cross-NC against Parekh for encouraging "dog menace" in the area. Health officer of Cidco N R Parab admitted that the women were wrong in beating up the activist. "They had complained to Cidco about a few strays. We had taken two dogs to our kennel; will sterilize them and release them in the area," Parab said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the stray puppy, which was found dead in Vijay Nagari Annex Housing Society in Thane on January 26, was punched to death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The Thane police has to collect the post-mortem report from the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," said Bhawanji Chhadwa of Sadbhavna Charitable Trust.He added that the mouth of the puppy was stuffed with a cloth in order to muffle its cries of pain. I hope that the police catch the cruel culprit soon, as this harmless pup has suffered a painful death,'' added Chhadwa. TOI had first mentioned about this stray puppy earlier this week.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-22977703525021990162013-02-02T04:37:00.002-08:002013-02-02T04:37:31.925-08:00Animals are more scared of us than we are of them, says Vidya Athreya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-31/pune/36658319_1_animals-interactive-session-7th-kirloskar-vasundhara</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PUNE: Citizens should be more sensitive to animals living in close proximity to human habitation and chasing or beating them will only force the animals to retaliate, urged wildlife biologist, Vidya Athreya on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Athreya who works at the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Wildlife-Conservation-Society" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Wildlife Conservation Society</a> of India was speaking at the conference 'Jungle Lore', organised as part of the ongoing 7th Kirloskar Vasundhara international film festival.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Addressing the gathering, Athreya said that incidents like the recent case of a leopard injuring a villager in Shelarwadi, Dehu road cantonment area can be avoided with correct handling of the situation. "Animals are more scared of us than we are of them. Research says that if we don't trouble them, they will not trouble us," she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lauding the tolerance of the people in rural areas for having co-existed with animals for centuries, Athreya said that chasing away animals with sticks, or crowding around them is what makes them retaliate. It's best to walk away, when an animal is sighted, she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The conference also had a session on eco-tourism and challenges which was addressed by Nitin Kakodkar, chief conservator of forests (education and training). Kakodkar underlined the need to involve the locals and every other stake holder in conservation and promotion of such sites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He stressed on the need to educate local populations on the benefits of eco-tourism, including generation of employment and increasing revenue to improve their standard of living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day-long conference also had a session on joint forest management with a case study of Sakude village (Purandar taluka) presented by committee president, Suresh Saste. Pramod Patil who works for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard addressed a session on the initiatives being taken for conserving the birds, while conservationist Sanjay Rahangdale spoke on floral diversity of Junnar taluka with special reference to Ceropegias.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prachi Mehta of Wildlife Research and Conservation Society suggested simple measures for better management of animal-human conflicts, in order to protect crops from animal destruction, with a special reference to elephants have made their way from Karnataka into Maharashtra.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jungle Lore, organized with a larger objective of involving the youth and nature lovers in environment conservation also had an interactive session on careers in the field and forest departments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The conference concluded with the felicitation of three Indian <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Forest-Service" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Forest Service</a> (IFS) guards for their contribution towards environment conservation.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-90616752283727588252013-01-14T05:01:00.002-08:002013-01-14T05:01:25.421-08:00Bihar grants permission to kill rampaging neelgais<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Bihar-grants-permission-to-kill-rampaging-neelgais/articleshow/18008719.cms</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">PATNA: Upset with the rampaging neelgai (blue bull) devastating the crop fields, just pick the licensed gun and shoot the animal down. It's now official.</span></div>
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In bid to ward off the increasing menace of neelgai damaging the standing crops in certain parts of Bihar, the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Bihar-State-Wildlife-Board" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Bihar State Wildlife Board</a>has decided to give this permission to the affected farmers who have licensed arms. The matter came up at the meeting of the board, chaired by chief minister <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Nitish-Kumar" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Nitish Kumar</a>.</div>
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The board, showing its concern over the growing menace and damage of hectares of crops, took this decision. Permission will be granted in those areas where the problem has become quite serious.</div>
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Under the provision, the farmers who will kill neelgai will also be compensated with the cost of the cartridges fired to kill neelgai at the rate of Rs 500 per cartridge and also Rs 1,000 for the burial of the animal, said forest and environment department secretary Deepak Kumar Singh. "This permission has been given to protect the standing crops and scare away the animals," Singh said. The recommendations of the board will be sent to the cabinet for approval.</div>
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Singh was however, not very sure if the farmers would be able to shoot down neelgai since this animal of antelope family runs very fast. He recalled that a few months back a neelgai entered the Gaya airport but despite free permission it could not be killed.</div>
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The board has also decided to enhance the compensation for death and injury to human beings due to wild animals' attack as well as for the loss of crops. The compensation for death due to attack by wild animals has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The decision was taken in the light of the central government enhancing the compensation.</div>
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However, during the past few years very few incidents of such deaths have been reported.</div>
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Similarly, in the wake of serious and simple injury, damage to pucca or clay house and also the damage to standing crops by the wild animals the compensation amount will be increased as compared to the prevalent rates, as per the decision of the meeting.</div>
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The meeting also decided to constitute committees under the DMs to check the damage of the standing crop on large scale by the neelgai. The committees will have forest divisional officers, district agriculture officers, district animal husbandry officers and all the divisional officers as members. The committees will evaluate the damage of the standing crops by the wild animals particularly neelgai and look into the complaints by the affected farmers.</div>
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The wildlife board was of the opinion that the skills and services of several sub-castes like snake charmers, madari, kalandar and others which depend on their traditional profession to eke out a living should be utilized in some other areas so that their dependency on the traditional professions could be minimized.</div>
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It was directed that a survey of these social groups should be conducted in bid to utilize their services in wildlife protection and link them with alternative profession and rehabilitate them.</div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-79884494627095571202013-01-14T04:58:00.000-08:002013-01-14T04:58:20.185-08:00Glass-coated manjha proves deadly for birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Glass-coated-manjha-proves-deadly-for-birds/articleshow/18012162.cms</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">JAIPUR: Clear skies, mild weather and a holiday may be perfect for people to take to flying kites but it proved fatal for the winged creatures.</span></div>
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With each and every passing hour on Sunday, the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Casualty" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">casualty</a> for birds increased despite animal rights activists working hard to minimize the death toll. During Makar Sankranti, people fly kites by the thousands. Unfortunately, they use glass-coated thread (manjha) to fly the kites and birds get entangled leading to cuts, damaged wings and nerve injuries. The animal activists are leaving no stone unturned to help the injured birds during this period.</div>
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Figures coming in from different animal right groups said nearly 80 casualties were reported. These groups have received around 200 calls seeking help for birds during the day mostly from the Walled City and other densely populated areas. Makeshift hospitals and camps are set up at Raja Park, Ramnivas Garden, Amrapali Circle and Gopalpura to treat the birds. The volunteers include veterinary doctors, students, professionals and general public.</div>
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These groups have been distributing their helpline numbers to reach out to people so that any bird casualty can be reported. Dr Vikas Sharma, veterinarian and head of Environment and Wildlife Care Society (EWCS) said, "We appeal to the people not to fly kites with glass-coated manja. And if they do, at least keep the helpline numbers handy so that our volunteers can reach out to the affected birds."</div>
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Among the injured reported on Sunday were peacocks, eagles, parrots, parakeets and many pigeons. Sahil Singhal, secretary of the People for Animals, said, "As the awareness on the helpline numbers and camps are rising, the calls are increasing and so do the casualties."</div>
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A maximum number of injured birds died due to lack of proper medical facilities. People overlook the injured birds as they do not have proper knowledge about the treatment. The groups also appealed to the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Callers-(musician)" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">callers</a> that they should monitor the injured bird till the volunteers come as in most cases birds either become prey to dogs or disappears.</div>
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The loud music from the past two days is also causing severe problem to birds and animals. Most birds and animals, especially dogs and cats, are highly sensitive to sound. "Any loud sound becomes unbearable for them especially during morning and evening hours. Many birds lost track of their habitat due to the music," Sharma added.</div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-69556306290421658782013-01-14T04:47:00.000-08:002013-01-14T04:47:16.744-08:00Tigress slain, shooter sobs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130113/jsp/frontpage/story_16436112.jsp#.UPP9bh03uPA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Nagpur, Jan. 12: </b>A tigress that killed five women in less than a month in Maharashtra was put down this afternoon but the commando who pulled the trigger later cried in a poignant footnote to a mysterious conflict.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It was such a majestic tigress,” Suresh Atram, a commando of the elite C-60 anti-Naxalite force, said over phone. “I feel like I’ve committed a sin,” added Atram, a tribal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The forest officials were surprised that it was a full-grown tigress about four years old. Through the week-long hunt, the officials and independent experts had assumed the animal was a sub-adult that probably could not hunt from the way it was selectively killing human beings, all of them frail-looking women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The experts will now have to try to find answers for the tigress’s weird behaviour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its victims were women from villages near the Navegaon reserve forest in Gondia district — one was killed in the protected area — where a tiger has not been spotted in years. The tigress was shot near Sonjhari Malda village, about 25km from the Navegaon forest and 150km from Nagpur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I am extremely sad that I had to kill a tiger as part of my duty,” said Atram, who has served for many years in the strife-torn Gadchiroli district but was handpicked for this assignment. He heads the C-60 unit in nearby Bhandara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An ardent devotee of Sai Baba of Shirdi, Atram said he could not stop himself from crying after killing the animal. “We tried our best to tranquillise it but could not.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The commando said he had to open fire when the beast came charging at them. “It had come so close that there was no option left,” Atram said. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On January 4, after the tigress had killed its fifth victim, orders were issued to shoot it if it could not be captured. Ten teams were then formed to track it down and anti-Naxalite commandos inducted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It dodged three to four tranquilliser darts,” wildlife conservationist Sawan Bahekar said over phone. Then the commandos fired three to four bullets, but it escaped unhurt. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A shot that the officials said Atram fired from an AK-47 rifle hours later finally brought the tigress down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Villagers had spotted the tigress on Thursday after it killed a calf and dragged its carcass into the shrubs. This morning, its image was captured in a camera trap mounted near the kill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tigress returned to its kill around 9am, Bahekar said. After a four-hour effort, when the tigress charged at a<i> machaan </i>(platform)<i>, </i>the<i> </i>commando pulled the trigger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“She was 20 metres from us,” Bahekar said. The first shot hit the cat. Eight more rounds were fired by two commandos.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Each one of us was in tears,” Bahekar said. It was not something they would be proud of.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-78754048313551533142013-01-14T04:43:00.000-08:002013-01-14T04:43:04.152-08:0042 pigs rescued in daring night chase<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-12/goa/36296108_1_pigs-animal-rescue-squad-transport</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MAPUSA: About 42 pigs being illegally transported to Goa from Belgaum in a pickup were rescued near Mapusa by two animal welfare activists in a daring mission at 1.30am on Thursday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having received a tip-off, John Fernandes and Mahadev Mestri of the Animal Rescue Squad set off on a motorbike for the 'Goa-Mumbai' NH 17, looking for a Karnataka-registered vehicle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Near Hotel Green Park they saw the pickup heading towards <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Panaji" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Panaji</a> and heard the grunting of pigs. Following the vehicle, they got it to stop by stopping their own motorbike right in front of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We asked the driver for the permit to transport the pigs. He didn't have one and instead offered us a bribe," claimed Fernandes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The duo called the police who arrested the driver and the two helpers-all Karnataka natives-and rescued the pigs. Sources said the pigs were headed to a slaughterhouse in Saligao.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Describing the "horrid" conditions under which the pigs were being transported, Fernandes said, "The pickup was divided into two sections and the upper section alone had 25 pigs. The condition was unhygienic and so crammed that one pig had died during the journey."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He stressed that the law does not permit the carrying of so many pigs in such constrained conditions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Police sources corroborated this, saying the transportation was in violation of provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The law requires that those transporting pigs should have a licence to do so. It is also illegal to transport pigs in a vehicle that has not been properly constructed to carry them," an animal activist later explained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The arrested trio are under police custody.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-14229582396553697992013-01-06T03:00:00.000-08:002013-01-06T03:00:02.355-08:00Animal-attack spots to be identified<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-31/kozhikode/36078901_1_wild-animals-wild-boars-study-team</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MALAPPURAM: As man-animal conflicts occur on a more or less regular basis at areas bordering forests across the state, Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) plans to identify locations that are vulnerable to attacks of wild animals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The special research group of the institute will study the types of animals which are straying into human habitations, the nature of attacks, the human loss, cattle loss and crop loss in attacks, the specifications of the locations, the elements that are attracting animals into the particular areas, including the availability of water and the nature of crops in the region. The study would be conducted with the help of the official records and field study on the incidents of man-animal conflicts occurred across the state during the last ten years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The study will help to identify the issues of each region and to plan the preventive measures exclusively for each location. Dr E A James, scientist, Wild Life Department, KFRI, who is heading the study team said that the majority of the issues were local ones and they could not deal all the issues on the basis of same parameteres.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The team will collect details of each incident from public and also from the officials. "We need location oriented data. The issues in Wayanad are different from the issues in Idukki or Thrissur. We have to identify the real reason behind each issue," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the beginning, the research group will collect the details of the incidents of straying of wild animals into the human habitation included in the records of forest department for the last ten years and also collect information directly from public of each panchayat in these districts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The research group has already started the study in Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts. In Thrissur, the team has found that 32 incidents of attacks of wild elephants have been reported in the district during last three years. Wild boars also pose a major threat to the farm lands in the district. The research group has also looking at effective methods to prevent animals straying into human habitations.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-27357805527892865042013-01-06T02:55:00.000-08:002013-01-06T02:55:37.492-08:00“Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will be amended to give more teeth”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/prevention-of-cruelty-to-animals-act-will-be-amended-to-give-more-teeth/article4254988.ece</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will be amended to make its provisions more stringent, said Jayanthi Natarajan, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest, at the golden jubilee celebration of the Animal Welfare Board of India here on Saturday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She said the government would take steps to pass the amended act before the budget session of the parliament. Otherwise an ordinance would be passed in this regard, she assured the animal welfare organisations at the two-day seminar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Compassion was the integral part of a civilised society but sadly man-animal conflict was on the rise. In Jammu and Kashmir, a bear, that strayed into human habitation was burnt alive by a group of people. They clapped their hands and enjoyed the death of the animal. Similarly in Kerala, an old tiger was killed by officials despite the fact that it was too weak to kill its prey. In both the cases the Minister said she had sent strong letters to the Chief Ministers concerned condemning the attitude of the people and the officials towards the animals. The Ministry would not tolerate such acts of cruelty. The Ministry would deregister laboratories if they violated the norms with regard to use of animals for experimentation, she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talking about the appointment of animal welfare officers in every police station to curb cruelty to animals, she lamented that none of the states showed any interest, despite the fact that the officers were sponsored by the Animal Welfare Board of India. A total of 2,900 recognised animal welfare organisations were receiving financial grants from the Board. Now the Board is planning to rope in corporate sector to provide financial support to take up certain animal welfare activities, she added. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Governor K. Rosaiah said the animals had made immense contribution from time immemorial for the welfare of humans. “In India we have a rich tradition of ahimsa and non violence towards all creatures. Man’s survival on this planet depends on maintaining the delicate balance in the co-existence of man and animal. We worship nature and festivals also remind us to show our gratitude to the animals.” </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Indian Overseas Bank Chairman and Managing Director Narendra, Animal Welfare Board of India Chairman retired major general R.M. Kharb and Vice-Chairman AWBI S. Chinni Krishna were among those who spoke.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-34071989235788780492013-01-03T05:19:00.000-08:002013-01-03T05:19:12.487-08:00India likely to impose blanket ban on testing cosmetics on animals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-likely-to-impose-blanket-ban-on-testing-cosmetics-on-animals/articleshow/17865653.cms</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">NEW DELHI: India in a landmark move is planning to impose a blanket ban on testing cosmetics on animals. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The </span><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Bureau-of-Indian-Standards" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Bureau of Indian Standards</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> (BSI) is revising the standard IS 4011 — the method of safety testing for cosmetics. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Drug-Controller-General-of-India" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Drug Controller General of India</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> (DCGI) Dr G N Singh told TOI that the </span><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Central-Drugs-Standard-Control-Organization" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Central Drugs Standard Control Organization</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> (CDSCO) is examining the feasibility of banning animal testing of cosmetics. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Dr Singh met MP and animal activist Maneka Gandhi last week to discuss the legislation. Dr Singh said, "Several developed countries have put in rules that ban testing cosmetics on animals. We are thoroughly examining them. We don't want to be cruel to animals. If other countries don't allow it, we will also ban animal testing of cosmetics. The decision will follow a through examination and a strong scientific examination." </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Gandhi has sent a letter to the DCGI giving scientific evidence supporting a ban on animal testing. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The letter, written on December 18, said, "on a priority, we as a nation need to go cruelty free as far as testing cosmetics are concerned." </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Gandhi said that the European Union (EU) has with the 7th amendment of the cosmetic directive prohibited testing of finished cosmetic products from September, 2004. She also cited that </span><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/testing-cosmetics-on-animals" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">testing cosmetics on animals</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> has also not been required by the US FDA. In spite of this, the BIS standards' draft includes two painful tests on animals. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">"Again the testing and marketing ban on ingredients came into force on March, 2009, in the EU for all human health effects with the exception of three animal tests - repeated dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and texicokinetics. For these specific health effects the marketing ban will also apply from March 11, 2013, irrespective of the availability of alternative non-animal tests. Hence, testing on animals has become completely illegal in the EU for cosmetics," the letter said. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Gandhi said this is undoubtedly going to affect the country, given the large export market of Indian herbal cosmetics to the EU. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The letter added, "It is important that India acts. Harmonization of India's regulation with that of Europe's cosmetics regulation will ensure an immediate upgrade of India's safety standards in cosmetics testing using non-animal methods." </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Gandhi said the DCGI has the power to amend rule 150-A in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, "and the easiest way would be that you amend it to be harmonized with EU cosmetics legislation of November 30, 2009". </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The Union health ministry has made it mandatory for the registration of all cosmetics ranging from skin care and hair care products that are imported from April 1, 2013. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The requirement was originally planned to come into force from October 1, 2012. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Dr Singh said, "If animal testing of cosmetics isn't mandatory by either the US FDA or the EU, it seems unnecessary for India to have them at all." </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The DCGI is setting up a separate cell to monitor important and distribution of the cosmetic industry. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">As per the guidelines, each cosmetic category-like lipstick, mascara, tooth pastes and soaps will carry a registration fee of $250. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">A violation of the rules will result in both penalty in the form of fines and jail term. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Around 61% of the dermatological market in India consists of skin lightening products. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that the serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment, where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological deficits in children. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">WHO said skin-lightening soaps and creams are commonly used Asian nations. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">"Some manufacturers are no longer using mercury as a preservative in mascara and eye makeup cleansing products as a result of consumer pressure. However, most jurisdictions still allow the sale of makeup products containing mercury compounds. The soaps contain approximately 1%-3% mercury iodide, and the creams are composed of 1%-10% mercury ammonium," WHO said. </span></span></div>
Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-20960186159488595402012-12-24T07:25:00.001-08:002012-12-24T07:27:55.741-08:00Now, man & animal collide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-23/guwahati/35982692_1_wild-elephants-human-elephant-conflict-human-settlements</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GUWAHATI: Just when the prolonged ethnic violence between Bodos and Bengali-speaking Muslims in the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) - an administrative set up under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution - which left nearly 100 people dead and over four lakh displaced between July and September this year is beginning to ebb, <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Assam" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Assam</a> has been caught up in the throes of another conflict, albeit of a different kind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time, the conflict in Assam is between man and elephant, and has taken an almost vicious turn at the peak of the paddy harvesting season. On December 19, four people were trampled to death by wild elephants - three in Krishnai area of Goalpara district and one in Hojai area of Nagaon district. Also, more than 100 houses were damaged by elephants in Mariani area of Jorhat district.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least 70 people and not less than 10 elephants have been killed so far in confrontations in different parts of the state. The elephant casualties took place in a short duration spanning November-December, the crucial paddy harvesting time in the state.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Villagers on the fringes of Khalingduar Reserve Forest and Bornodi Wildlife Sanctuary along the India-Bhutan border in BTAD's Udalguri district, about 170km from Guwahati, are spending sleepless nights. With a large herd of wild elephants from Bhutan crossing over to raid croplands in the plains almost every day since November, the locals are in a confrontational mode. Five people were trampled to death when they attempted to chase the herd and four jumbos were killed in the past two months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"This being a dry season, there is a scarcity of food in the jungles. So, jumbos are raiding croplands as an easy source of food. This has resulted in man-animal conflict intensifying in the border areas," said Ananta Bagh, a conservation volunteer at Nonaipara area in Udalguri.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week, a 60-strong herd entered Paneri area of district, and it took the forest department and local people three days to drive the herd away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We've had some respite for the last four days. Otherwise, jumbos were entering human settlements and raiding crops every day. We have deployed three teams in three conflict-prone areas for rapid response in chasing away elephants. Four trained elephants have also been pressed into service to assist in driving away wild jumbos," divisional forest officer of Dhansiri wildlife division, Bankim Sarma said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sarma said the biggest problem in chasing away elephant herds is human mobs. "Most human casualties are due to mob action and driving away elephants in an unorganized manner," he added.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The conflict is not confined to places in the BTAD. Almost 11 out of 27 districts in the state are in the grips of human-elephant conflict. "We are trying both short and long-term measures to mitigate human-elephant conflict. But, unfortunately, the conflict persists. We have planned to cover more areas under solar-powered electric fencing to prevent elephants from entering villages. As a short-term measure, we have asked our department personnel to intensify patrolling and are using trained elephants to chase away wild herds. Recently, there was a meeting in New Delhi of the chief wildlife wardens of all elephant-bearing states where conflict mitigation measures were discussed," Assam chief wildlife warden Suresh Chand said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Assam has an estimated 5,620 wild elephants, according to the forest department. Destruction of their habitats with the expansion of agricultural land, development projects and encroachment of forest land has aggravated the conflict. The forest along the India-Bhutan border and Sonitpur district bordering <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Arunachal-Pradesh" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Arunachal Pradesh</a> have seen large-scale destruction, primarily due to the expanding tea cultivations and encroachment by humans.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-40368198061614723112012-12-13T05:06:00.001-08:002012-12-13T05:14:56.420-08:00School bus kills dog, animal lover lodges plaint<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-02/mumbai/35547357_1_stray-dog-driver-school-bus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NAVI MUMBAI: A Juinagar resident and animal lover, Rama Katarnavare (46), lodged a complaint against a rash school bus driver on Thursday night at the Nerul police station for fatally running over a stray dog in her locality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While the police registered the FIR against the driver, Surendra Kondvilkar, under IPC Section 279 (rash driving) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960), he has not yet been arrested.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Katarnavare told TOI that she had requested Kondvilkar to drive slowly inside the railway colony in Sector 22. "However, he never heeded my pleas. On Thursday, Kondvilkar was again speeding inside the colony and ran over a stray dog. I immediately informed the cops, who conducted a panchnama at the spot," said Katarnavare. Her son, Amit, said the accused did not show remorse even at the police station. Meanwhile, veterinarian Dr Pradeep Londe of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation said, "We were informed about the dog's death on Thursday itself and have taken its body." </span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-65178676419721793312012-12-02T01:58:00.000-08:002012-12-02T03:13:45.501-08:00Mumbai calls for abolition of animals in circus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-01/people/35483934_1_circus-animals-animal-rights-circus-camp">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-01/people/35483934_1_circus-animals-animal-rights-circus-camp</a></span></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After promoting the cause of stray and abandoned animals, Mumbai is now gearing up to fight for the rights of circus animals across the country.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Members of an animal rights organisation protested outside a circus camp in Bandra on Friday. The protesters, chained and wearing masks of elephants, held signs that read, 'Abolish Slavery: Ban Animal Circuses'. According to the animal rights activists, all circus animals are treated like slaves. "Slavery of animals is akin to slavery of humans," says campaigner Abhishek Mudaliar, adding, "Animals in circuses across India are routinely chained and beaten. They are subjected to chronic confinement, physical abuse and psychological torment. Whips and other weapons like heavy steel-tipped rods are often used to inflict pain and beat them into submission. Animals and birds perform confusing, unnatural tricks — for example, parrots riding bicycles, standing on their heads or jumping through rings of fire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They don't do it because they want to, but out of fear of violent punishment. It's high time the government banned the archaic use of animals in circuses. We're appealing to parents whose kids love animals to steer clear of circuses that use animals."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The central government has already banned the use of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls in performances. "We are calling on the Government of India to follow the lead of<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Bolivia" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Bolivia</a> and <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Greece" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Greece</a>, which have banned the use of all animals. Why must we have dogs or parrots in our circuses?" Abhishek added. <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Bollywood" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">Bollywood</a> also feels strongly about the case. Here's what some of the stars said.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Celina Jaitly:</strong><b> </b>Circus animals are kept in horrendous conditions. Dogs are crammed into dirty cages and hardly ever let out. Birds are locked inside cramped cages, and their wings are clipped so that they cannot fly. They pay a heavy price for a fleeting moment of human amusement. Nature has enough for man's needs, not his greed. If you want to see animals perform, watch them at their best in a nature documentary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rahul Khanna:</strong> Most children naturally love animals and would never knowingly support anything that involve treating them cruelly. Circuses can and do exist only because of willing human adults.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Raveena Tandon Thadani: </strong>Animals in circuses lead a life of endless confinement, constant physical abuse and psychological torment. Animals are not natural performers like us. We are the entertainers, not them. They belong in their natural homes, not suffering under the Big Top.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-47501800488767298052012-12-02T01:54:00.000-08:002012-12-02T01:54:32.465-08:00India's 'dancing bears' retire in animal rights victory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gaVun3qpw710cWjAtFkd1fKxp7bQ?docId=CNG.9093285bb7c20beccd76c2ff1eed6cc7.101">http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gaVun3qpw710cWjAtFkd1fKxp7bQ?docId=CNG.9093285bb7c20beccd76c2ff1eed6cc7.101</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NEW DELHI — The sight of poorly fed and badly treated bears being forced to dance on the streets of India is a thing of the past as a campaign to wipe out the practice has finally borne fruit, activists say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tradition of forcing sloth bears to dance for entertainment dates back to the 13th century, when trainers belonging to the Muslim Kalandar tribe enjoyed royal patronage and performed before the rich and powerful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Descendants of the tribe from central India had kept the tradition alive, buying bear cubs from poachers for about 1,200 rupees ($22) and then hammering a heated iron rod through their sensitive snouts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After removing the animal's teeth and claws, the bear trainer threaded a rope through its snout and then headed for the streets where onlookers would pay a few rupees for a show in which the bear would sway and jump around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It's taken us many years but all the tribesmen we keep track of have moved on to different livelihoods," Vivek Menon from the non-profit Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), told AFP on the sidelines of a bear conference in New Delhi last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The tradition might still be present in people's minds, of course, but we don't know of any cases where Kalandars are still practising it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and India-based Wildlife SOS, which runs sanctuaries for bears, have also declared an end to the practice in the last few months -- 40 years after a government ban in 1972.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The key, say the donation-funded groups, has been bringing the Kalandars on board, providing them with money and incentives to re-train in other professions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The success points the way for other campaigns, such as the one to rid India of its snake charmers who can still be spotted illegally plying their trade, often with the snakes' mouths sewn shut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It was very difficult to convince the bear trainers to give up their work. Most of them were very scared, they have never known any other way of life but this," WSPA campaign coordinator Aniruddha Mookerjee told AFP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the owners to give up was Mohammed Afsar Khan, a 30-year-old father of three girls who used to work with his father and brother travelling across central India with three bears in tow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He says he used to earn about 300 rupees a day until he gave up the job six years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It's a hard life. You can never settle in one place, your children can't go to school, you end up feeling trapped. Then you are always worried about police harassing you for bribes," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He handed over his bears to Wildlife Trust of India officers, who offered his family financial assistance and helped him and his younger brother learn driving skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He used the funds to rent a tractor and ferry bricks from kilns to construction sites in Chhattisgarh state. Today, he owns his tractor and earns about 500 rupees a day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bears recovered by the animal groups were often in a wretched state, suffering from infected snouts, root canal problems, even diseases such as tuberculosis which they contracted from humans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sloth bears also suffer from malnutrition after being fed bread, lentils and milk for years, leading to an extremely reduced life span.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Menon from WTI say that the dancing bear industry was also "a dominant cause behind the disappearance of the sloth bear" -- a focus at the bear conference which focused on conservation and welfare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the last three decades, the number of sloth bears -- a species native to South Asia -- has fallen by at least 30 percent, according to the IUCN-SSC Bear Specialist Group (BSG). There are now less than 20,000 of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The widespread poaching of bear cubs and the killing of mother bears clearly affects the population of the species," Menon told AFP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"India is changing rapidly and this is an outmoded, inhumane tradition. The trainers themselves realise now that it is far easier for them to earn a living doing other jobs," Menon said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aziz Khan is another former bear-owner who never expected to leave his ancestral trade but was happy for the way out offered by WTI when officers approached him and his friends more than a decade ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I didn't earn much, but I was afraid to leave it. I didn't know how else I would be able to feed my three kids," the 45-year-old told AFP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WTI helped retrain Aziz Khan and his friends as bakers. They now run their own bakery, producing 350 loaves of bread each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I have no regrets today, it was a dead-end job and I am glad I was able to move on," he said.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-61696836733297322682012-11-25T05:22:00.001-08:002012-11-25T05:29:11.987-08:00Srinagar bear burning video goes viral<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Srinagar/Srinagar-bear-burning-video-goes-viral/Article1-963811.aspx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Saturday, television screens were ablaze with visuals of villagers trying to torch a bear alive in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Also, a bear had killed a 55-year-old on Thursday in north Kashmir. While the two incidents occurred in places afar, the common thread was the increasing man-animal conflict in India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bear had attacked a house in Mohammadpora, before climbing a tree, on Tuesday. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the four days the videos taken on mobile phones went viral, it was dubbed as human aggression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wildlife warden of Kulgam-Anantnag region, Imtiyaz Ahmad, however, disagreed. “It was not to kill but to scare the bear away. Our staff members saw it running back into the forest safe.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Records show an increasing trend of man-animal conflict between 1995 and 2009. In south Kashmir alone, wildlife officials said 19 people had lost their lives and over 200 injured in animal attacks in the past two years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Last year, 12 people died in bear and leopard attacks,” said Ahmad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Officials give different reasons for the increasing encounters. “The main reason is conversion of paddy land near forests into orchards, which attract bears. Also, with the ban on shooting animals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2012/Nov/23/-man-animal-conflict-has-become-a-political-issue-in-kashmir--49.asp</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>‘Man-animal conflict has become a political issue in Kashmir’</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Srinagar, Nov 22: In the wake of rising incidents of man-animal conflict involving mostly bears in the Valley, experts have recommended formulation of a comprehensive plan to prevent the situation from escalation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The Hangul centric conservation efforts have taken heavy toll on other wild animals particularly bears. Jammu and Kashmir has a lopsided policy for equitable conservation of wild animals as it is only concentrating on Kashmir division and has totally neglected Ladakh and Jammu,” said Dr M K Ranjitsinh, chairman Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) during the 21st International Conference on Bear Research and Management, here today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We need to protect bear habitants from human intervention to prevent the bears from intruding into human habitations,” he said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chief Wildlife Warden J&K, AK Singh, said the government was making efforts to check the man-animal conflict. “Man-animal conflict has become a political issue in Kashmir. Sometimes it even changes into law and orders situation as people themselves try to tame the wild animals. However due to our sustained efforts we have prevent considerable number of man-animal conflict incidents,” he said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Manzoor Ahmad Tak said man-animal conflict has emerged as major challenges for the wildlife department. He said in coordination with various organizations including Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Wildlife Institute of India efforts are being made to minimize incidents of man-animal conflict. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dr Vivek Menon co-chair IBA and executive director WTI minced no words to accuse the states of being indifferent towards bears. “26 out of 32 states in the country have wild animals, other than bear as their state symbol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In Kashmir, the man-animal conflict involving bear has assumed horrendous ramifications. For past four years we have been working check the problem. We have devised some measures including rapid response teams, relief and ex-gratia to victims and awareness about wild animals particularly bears as long term solution,” he said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dr John Beecham co-chair Bear Conflict Special Group gave a global overview of man-animal conflict and recommended measures to control it. Dr Satyakumar scientist Wildlife Institute of India said dwelt on conflict management measures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the onset of winter bears and leopards have been frequently spotted in residential areas like Harwan, Brein, Nishat, which fall in the Zabarwan range. Besides the city, the problem is severe across the countryside like Kupwara, Bandipora and Pulwama where forests have been vandalized by the smugglers during past 20 years.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-8259141580165745172012-11-25T05:15:00.000-08:002012-11-25T05:15:58.313-08:00Head to mass animal adoption event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Head-to-mass-animal-adoption-event/Article1-963685.aspx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you’ve been looking at bringing home a pup or kitten, then here’s your chance to do just that with a clearer conscience and a lighter load on your bank balance. World For All (WFA), an animal welfare NGO, is back with the second edition of their annual event Adoptathon, tomorrow. This year the fair will witness over 100 Indian mixed breeds of puppies and stray kittens being put up for adoption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talking about their motive behind organising the event on such a grand scale, Ruchi Nadkarni, Founder, WFA, and Tanya Swetta, MD, id8 media solutions, say, “Adoptathon is the only platform where people can witness live adoptions taking place at a mass level. People feel a certain satisfaction when they see the pet they’re adopting, rather than simply looking at a newspaper advertisement or Facebook post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, if you thought adoption was easier than actually purchasing a pet from a store, then you couldn’t be further from reality. The organisers at WGA have a very strict screening process entailing an interview and a home check. “The interview is extensive and involves questions about commitment, lifestyle options, experience with animals, family status, living space, diet, age, etc. There is also a proper adoption agreement signed by adopters and the identity proof of adopters is collected,” says Nadkarni.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only the Indian breed puppies and kittens are up for adoption. Most of these have been rescued off the streets. However, the organisers’ claim that they have all been in foster homes, and are well groomed and vaccinated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The event saw about 1,500 walk-ins and 120 adoptions taking place last year. “Which is why, this year we have 120 animals. Our expectation obviously lies in the adoption of all of them. We expect around 1,000 people to definitely turn up at Adoptathon this year,” says Nadkarni.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pets online</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The latest entrant to the pets market in India, pepperfry.com now also sells products for pet mice, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits and birds. On offer are home kits and toys for hamsters and mice, bedding for small animals, water bottles for birds and mice and soapbox perches for birds that can be attached to the cages. You could also try out their aloe vera sprays for bird-baths and animal carriers for rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets. “India is one of the fastest growing market for pets, growing a little over 20 per cent annually, and estimated to reach R800 crore by 2015. Urban consumers living in a nuclear set-up are turning to their pets for companionship and are willing to spend on their wellbeing,” says Ashish Shah, co-founder, Pepperfry. (by Sneha Mahale)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adoptathon 2012 will take place at Bandra Hindu Association Hall, on Sunday, from 10 am to 7 pm.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-17694302941909128032012-11-17T03:57:00.002-08:002012-11-17T03:57:42.715-08:00Dog show faces animal board hurdle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/dehradun/108761-dog-show-faces-animal-board-hurdle.html</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Questions are being raised about a dog show to be organised in Dehradun on December 8 and 9 due to the illegalities resulting from the organiser not being registered by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People for Animals, Uttarakhand member secretary and AWBI co-opted member Gauri Maulekhi has appealed to the Surveyor General of India Dr Swarna Subba Rao, AWBI chairman Maj Gen (retd) Dr RM Kharb, Uttarakhand director general of police Satyavrat Bansal and Dehradun District Magistrate Dr BVRC Purushottam to issue necessary instructions to prevent this show from taking place without due permissions and registration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maulekhi states that it is a legal requirement for any dog show organiser to obtain a certificate of registration by the Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India before exhibiting or causing to exhibit or even to train any animal to be exhibited at a public show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a fee charged for participation for each animal by the Doon Valley Kennel Club, so the club is responsible for ensuring that all participants are duly registered since it is a completely commercial activity. This is covered under the Sections 21, 22, 23, 24, and 26 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. A circular has also been issued by the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board, Dehradun in this regard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Dogs with cropped ears and docked tails will be exhibited at the show as has been observed in past years which is an offence under Section 11 (l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. A circular has been issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India in this regard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Doon Valley Kennel Club has obtained no registration certificate for the animals that will be exhibited and trained for exhibition on December 8 and 9 at the Survey Stadium and grounds at Hathibadkala in Dehradun, nor have they even applied to obtain the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The publicity and propaganda for this event and the ongoing registrations being held at a shop on Rajpur Road are misleading the participants into believing that this ‘dog show’ is being organised with prior permissions, which amounts to fraud under section 419, 420 and 423 of the Indian Penal Code.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She further alleges that not a single member/breeder of this ‘club’ is registered with the AWBI but they have been selling pups and advertising for the same in newspapers with open disregard for the authorities. The event has little to do with animal welfare, as is being advertised by the organiser.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Dog shows only encourage the forced breeding of more and more dogs in a country like ours where we are already struggling with stray dog overpopulation. The illegal breeders force back to back pregnancies on pedigreed bitches and keep them confined in poor conditions as has been revealed by PFA raids in Dehradun in the past,” she stressed.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-62517694347455894952012-11-16T06:25:00.002-08:002012-11-17T03:56:33.356-08:00Diwali 2012: Animals panic as noise grips Coimbatore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-15/coimbatore/35134137_1_animal-rights-animal-shelter-pet-owners</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">COIMBATORE: Animals across the city suffered the most while Diwali celebrations were on at several households in the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Many pet owners called us saying their pets were either missing or appeared fearful, breathed heavily while the crackers were being burst outside," said Dr Viju Vijayan Pillai, a resident veterinary doctor at the animal shelter in the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, animal rights activists say this is a regular situation during Diwali and other celebrations. Deepak Nair, a city-based animal rights activist says Diwali is a terrible time for animals especially dogs. "Though all animals may not panic after crackers burst but a good number of dogs get scared. This is because the dogs have a more advanced hearing capacity than most of the animals," he says. There are several instances where out of fear, they escape from the houses, run long distances and mostly never come back later, Nair adds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini Vasudevan, managing trustee of Humane Animal Society (HAS) says animals that are panic-stricken can be identified through their symptoms. "They show a tendency to hide under the bed. Shivering, excess salivating, a tendency to flee and an increased heart rate are also some of the symptoms," she says.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the pets panic, they need reassurance, say veterinarians. "A comforting pat can also go a long way to console them. However, if they continue to show symptoms, a veterinarian should be consulted," Dr Viju said.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-63129737948995509072012-11-12T04:17:00.000-08:002012-11-17T03:56:58.068-08:00Travel permit denial gives Kerala elephants Maha relief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_travel-permit-denial-gives-kerala-elephants-maha-relief_1763456</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seven elephants from Kerala were saved from a tiring Diwali after the state forest department denied permission for transporting the pachyderms all the way to Maharashtra for a three-day festival.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Held from November 9 to 11 at Dombivli, Mumbai Pooram’s main attraction, as displayed on the website by the organisers, was to be a parade of seven gold-caparisoned elephants amid a lavish display of fireworks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">State forest department sources said the organisers had not sought permission for the procession from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). A statutory body under the ministry of environment and forests, AWBI has been formed to monitor animal welfare rights in India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The organisers never approached us for the requisite permissions. Parading elephants transported from up to 1,500km amid noisy fireworks would clearly have been a violation of the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Transport Rules,” said Chinny Krishna, vice-chairman, AWBI.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SH Naqvi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said, “In inter-state events such as these permissions from state ministries, in this case Kerala and Maharashtra, are required. The organisers were not granted permission to enter the state border as they had not sought the necessary clearances from the Centre.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides instructions from AWBI to not grant permission to the organisers, the state forest department had received up to eight petitions from animal rights activists condemning the transport of these elephants from Kerala to Maharashtra.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The organisers, however, said that the state forest department had given permission for transporting five elephants to Mumbai last year, but it denied permission this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We were able to transport elephants last year without AWBI’s permission. This year, we were informed that inter-state transport of elephants won’t be allowed. This is unfair; we are animal lovers too. We take the requisite care, we make sure that the elephants don’t travel more than 200km at a stretch. They are fed properly and there is a veterinary doctor on call at all times during the travel,” said Bhupesh Babu, a Vashi-based builder and one of the organisers.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-7240086635301203182012-11-12T04:13:00.000-08:002012-11-12T04:13:29.599-08:00Animal welfare bodies left with dogs from hospitals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Animal-welfare-bodies-left-with-dogs-from-hospitals/articleshow/17186533.cms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHENNAI: Three months after <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/chennai-petroleum-corporation-ltd/stocks/companyid-11661.cms" style="text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Chennai Corporation</a> removed around 500 dogs and 70 cats from various government hospitals, the NGOs that offered to sterilize and temporarily house the animals are in a spot over where to release them. </span></div>
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The Blue Cross, which sterilized close to 60 dogs picked up from the hospitals, is yet to decide where to release these animals. According to the<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Animal-Birth-Control-rules" style="text-decoration: initial;">Animal Birth Control rules</a>, stray dogs have to be released in the place from where they were picked up to maintain balance of habitat. </div>
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"This is a problem for us as the dogs can't be released in medical institutions. <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Blue-Cross" style="text-decoration: initial;">Blue Cross</a> usually houses dogs for up to five days. Post sterilization they are released where they were picked up," said Blue Cross Society general manager Dawn Williams. </div>
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"We are yet to decide on what to do with these animals. We are in touch with Corporation officials to decide the future course of action," he said, adding that they were considering putting the animals up for adoption. </div>
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In September, the Chennai Corporation along with volunteers from the Blue Cross, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and People for Animals removed 525 dogs, 16 cats and 3,048 rats from the city's government hospitals. The drive was launched after the body of a 12-day-old infant was eaten by rodents at the government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children in Triplicane. </div>
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Around 60 dogs were sent to Blue Cross, and a few to People for Animals, according to Chennai Corporation officials. They said they did not know what happened to the rest of the animals. "Our duty is to remove the dogs from the government hospitals. It is not our responsibility to follow up on the whereabouts of these animals. We just ensure that they are not released into the hospital premises again," an official said. </div>
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Stray dogs, however, continue to lounge around in the corridors of the government hospitals. "We are doing everything we can to chase the dogs away, but they keep returning. If there are more dogs than we can handle, we alert the Corporation or Blue Cross," said a senior official in the government women and children's hospital in Egmore. </div>
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Animal activists have pinned the blame on hospitals for not keeping their premises clean. "There is so much leftover food in hospitals, which attracts stray dogs. We are still figuring out a humane way to deal with the situation," said S Chinny Krishna, vice-chairman of Animal Welfare Board.</div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809254125605952566.post-89843286083382748992012-11-08T05:21:00.000-08:002012-11-08T05:21:27.121-08:00Civic body scraps dog shelter plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Civic-body-scraps-dog-shelter-plan/articleshow/17136789.cms</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">PUNE: The civic standing committee on Tuesday scrapped the proposal to build a shelter for stray dogs in the city. The committee had approved the proposal last week despite the civic administration's opposition.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Committee chairman <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Baburao-Chandere" style="text-decoration: initial;">Baburao Chandere</a> told reporters on Tuesday, "We reconsidered the proposal and decided that building a dog shelter is unfeasible and against the law." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The proposal to build a dog shelter to accommodate over 40,000 dogs was tabled by <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/NCP-corporators" style="text-decoration: initial;">NCP corporators</a> <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Kishor-Vitkar" style="text-decoration: initial;">Kishor Vitkar</a> and Sunil Gogale. Last week the standing committee had asked the administration to make a feasibility report for the project. Opposing the proposal, the administration said that maintenance each dog would require Rs 18,000- 25,000 every year. The administration also said that, as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960, keeping stray dogs together is banned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We had approved the proposal, considering the feelings of corporators. However, we came to the conclusion that the administration was correct," Chandere said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On an average, 1,150 dog-bite cases per month were registered since January 2012. In 2011, around 1,000 cases were reported each month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Dog shelter is not an option to reduce dog-bite cases. Instead we have asked the health department to enhance the process the sterilize dogs," Chandere said.</span></div>
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Amruta Ubalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16545005672345299260noreply@blogger.com0