Mobile towers hurting biological systems of birds: Study

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/personal-tech/computing/Mobile-towers-hurting-biological-systems-of-birds-Study/articleshow/10328750.cms

NEW DELHI: Electromagnetic radiation ( EMR) from mobile towers was interfering with the biological systems of birds, a study released by the environment ministry said and called for a law for the protection of flora and fauna.

"The review of existing literature shows that the EMRs are interfering with the biological systems in more ways than one and there had already been some warning bells sounded in the case on bees and birds, which probably heralds the seriousness of this issue and indicates the vulnerability of other species as well," the study found.

The ministry in September 2010 had constituted a 10-member committee under Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) director Asad Rahmani to study the impact of mobile phone towers on birds and bees and formulating guidelines for their installations.

The expert group reviewed 919 studies done in India and abroad on the ill effects of mobile towers in animal, birds and insects. Of the 919 studies, the team found that 593 showed the negative impact of mobile towers on birds, bees, human, wildlife and plants.

Quoting from an international study that radio frequency pollution appears to constitute a potential cause for the decline of animal populations, it said there was urgent need to focus more scientific attention to this area before it would be too late.

The committee highlighted that studies from India on the impact of cell phone tower radiation on birds and wildlife are almost nonexistent.

Nearly 800 million Indians have mobile phones, making it the second largest mobile phone-subscriber population in the world after China.

"At present, there are nearly 15 companies providing mobile telephony. However, necessary regulatory policies and their implementation mechanism have not kept pace with the growth of mobile telephony," it said.

The expert group suggested introducing a law for the protection of urban flora and fauna from emerging threats of electromagnetic radiation.

"To prevent overlapping high radiations fields, new towers should not be permitted within a radius of one kilometre of existing towers. If new towers must be built, construct them to be above 80 feet and below 199 feet ... to avoid the requirement for aviation safety lighting," it said.

The groups also suggested displaying bold signs and messages on the dangers of cell phone tower and radiation which is emitted from it in and around the structures where the towers are erected.

"Strictly control installation of mobile towers near wildlife protected areas, important bird areas, turtle breeding areas, bee colonies and zoos up to a certain distance that should be studied before deciding and should also be practical," it said.

The group called for putting the locations of cell phone towers and other radiating towers along with their frequencies in public domain. "Public consultation to be made mandatory before installation of cell phones towers in any area," it added.

Celebrities campaign to ban horse carriages in Mumbai

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/October/international_October139.xml&section=international&col 

MUMBAI — For tourists visiting the Gateway of India, they are a charming relic from Mumbai’s past, but for the city’s harried motorists the horse carriages that ferry visitors around Colaba’s narrow lanes, they are a nuisance and a perennial danger.

And now animal activists and celebrities have also joined in, demanding a ban on horse carriages. On Monday, Salsa dancer Sandip Soparrkar and his supermodel wife Jesse Randhawa, dashed off a letter to the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC), seeking a ban on horse-drawn carriage rides throughout Mumbai.

Other celebrities, including actors Hema Malini and John Abraham, former Miss Sri Lanka Universe Jacqueline Fernandez, and even Lea Michele, star of the American musical-comedy drama series, Glee, have teamed up with the Indian unit of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), seeking an end to the horse-drawn carriage trade in the city.

The celebrities have joined PETA in calling for an end to the trade following an incident last week at Nariman Point, where an exhausted horse, pulling a heavy carriage for a joyride along Marine Drive, collapsed suddenly.

“The exhausted horse collapsed on the ground and was unable to get up for nearly 20 minutes,” Benazir Suraiya, media and celebrity projects coordinator, PETA India, told Khaleej Times on Monday. “This time the horse did not die but it may not be so lucky next time.”

According to her, horses are forced to share Mumbai’s busy roads with increasing numbers of vehicles and pedestrians. “Conditions for horses are deplorable: they are forced to haul passengers in sweltering heat and extreme cold and are frequently denied adequate rest, food and water. Over the years, there have been accidents in which both horses and people have been seriously injured.”  Suraiya points outs that in May another carriage horse collapsed at Kala Ghoda and the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
rescued it. — nithin@khaleejtimes.com

Roar of disapproval

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/oct/051011-peta-porn-website-public-outcry.htm

PeTA announcement to launch a porn website to raise awareness about animal cruelty, invites ire and fire

How can pornography and animal rights be linked? This is the question on minds after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA), a non-profit organisation, announced that it will soon launch a pornography website to raise awareness on various animal rights issues. PeTA's move has invited the ire of activists all around the world, who have referred to this campaign as a cheap marketing strategy. In India too, women's rights activists have condemned this move. PeTA often uses pictures of scantily clad women to draw attention towards unethical treatment of animals. 

Said Dr Nandita Gandhi, co-director of Akshara, a non-profit organisation working in the field of women's rights, "People treat animals badly. But I think that PeTA needs to take the broader issues into concern and not just use pictures, which are tantalising and shocking all the time. For example, it's not just about killing wild animals, but upsetting the eco diversity by hunting and killing them. Similarly, they miss the point in their quest for the sensational by having a porn site through which they are degrading and insulting women. Quite short sighted and misogynist, though it is for a good cause." 

Foxy? PETA members pose dressed as foxes in London, England. The
group was campaigning against the use of animal skin in garments.
PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Commodity
Others believe that by launching a porn site they are commodifying women and promoting violence. Anagha Sarpotdar, a research scholar at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) says, "By creating such a website the organisation is using bodies of women as objects to earn publicity and money. In fact, the entire discourse on anti-animal cruelty is being commodified to be sold to people. The organisation, while aiming to preserve the interests of animals is treading a dangerous path by damaging interests of women." Many other animal right activists believe that this sort of move is definitely an innovative marketing strategy but "two issues, which are not even closely related should not be clubbed together in this manner at all," said Arvind Gada, founder of Karuna for Animals in Distress.

Said sociologist Mugdha D Karnik who is also the Director, Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, University of Mumbai, "As a sociologist, I don't think pornography is dangerous to a society -- to any society including Indian.

Pornography is not a cause of the social decadence but the effect of its decadence. It also has a very limited effect on the so-called moral fibre of any society or on the morality of adolescent age groups. PeTA will definitely succeed in drawing attention to itself, when they launch this website. They will not succeed beyond visibility. For any issue to succeed, it must have a sound philosophical and logical base." 

HEART FELT PLEA: PeTA's sexy Valentine's girls with a giant chick
spread the love animals message at Churchgate in a campaign

Credibility
Many believe that such a move linking a porn site to activism on behalf of animals would put a huge question mark on the credibility of the organisation. "I think PeTA will lose credibility. Most people would write them off as crazy and stop supporting their organisation even if they support the cause of animals. Why would PeTA want to target a population that visits porn sites? Is it because this group is more prone to be cruel to animals, or is it because PeTA believes that more people visit these sites than those who don't? If the domain is listed as an animal support site then yes, it will be dangerous to society, as even children will access these sites. If, however, it is recognised as a porn site then it is no worse than any of the others and hopefully can be filtered out," said Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, women's rights activist.

The other side
In an email interview Poorva Joshipura, Chief Functionary; PeTA India, said that using the adult entertainment site domain name is a PeTA US initiative. Media reports suggest that the site will have pornographic content, but further browsing will reveal graphic images and videos depicting the plight of animals treated cruelly. "The fact is that adult entertainment sites are visited by people all over the world, some as voyeurs, some out of deep interest in the subject, some by mistake, so it is vital to seize that audience for social causes.  

The site is still being built so people will have to wait to learn what the full content will be." On how much of the content of the website will feature pornography, Joshipura said, "Because an enormous US audience visits adult entertainment websites, PeTA US cannot miss out on relaying the message of kindness to animals to this population, so they have captured a domain name and will be posting graphic videos on it, videos of the plight of animals used for meat, the circus and other educational materials on it. Also PeTA and its affiliates do not feature 'porn' at all.  We may feature scantily clad girls, graphic videos of what is done to animals, and double entendre, but there is no porn." When asked about various controversies surrounding the campaign, Joshipura said, "Experience has taught us that provocative and controversial campaigns make the difference between keeping important yet depressing subjects invisible and having them widely seen. PeTA US has found their racier actions are sometimes a fast track way to get people to sit up and pay attention to information about the plight of animals, though they typically do not use imagery any more racy than what one would find on the cover of a men's magazine." 

Everything about it is XXX
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) which is always eyeing attention-grabbing campaigns, is now crossing the line to launch a pornography website in the name of animal rights. PeTA plans to launch its pornography site when the controversial new .xxx domain becomes active in early December this year. PeTA in fact, courts controversy with its campaigns for animal rights, which regularly feature scantily clad models. Now, it wants to use pornography and graphic footage of animal suffering to shock viewers into awareness. It is going to be a PeTA triple-X site. PeTA has taken plenty of criticism with activists stating that it uses women's bodies to hammer home a message. The animal rights organisation evokes outrage and there has been an outcry that it is sexist. But PeTA seems undeterred. 

Expert View
As per the Information Technology Act, 2000 as amended by the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 Section 67 Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form: Whoever publishes or transmits or causes to be published or transmitted in the electronic form, any material which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect is such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees and in the event of second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term, which may extend to five years and also fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees. This is generic and it may include the activity of humans with animal in electronic form, but limits to publishing and transmitting the content in electronic form.

“Sterilized and vaccinated dogs cannot be dislocated”

http://www.theweekendleader.com/Causes/720/Animal-welfare.html

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated," said Mahatma Gandhi. World Animal Day is celebrated across the globe on October 4th, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, a nature lover and patron saint of animals and the environment.

 

In India, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) takes care of implementation of animal welfare laws in the country. It provides grants to animal welfare organizations and advises the government of India on animal welfare issues.

Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. R.M. Kharb, is the Chairman of AWBI. Kharb was appointed to the post in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of Veterinary Services in the Indian Army.

As Chairman of AWBI, Gen. Kharb successfully convinced the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) to introduce animal welfare as a separate subject in the curriculum of Veterinary Colleges in India.

Kharb has been instrumental in the launch of the ongoing ‘Rabies Free India’ programme in many metros in the country and has also convinced many State governments to adopt the participatory model of Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme for stray dogs.

He spoke to Rama Devi Menon on protecting animals from cruelty and the laws that can be invoked in case of violations. Excerpts from the interview.

Q. Gen Kharb, we have been witnessing several instances of animal cruelty in our daily lives. We see people beating, kicking and even killing animals, but most of us feel we are helpless to do anything or we just move away feeling sorry for the animal at the most. Are there any laws to protect animals from human torture? Could you highlight some laws that a common man can use to prevent such cruelty towards animals? 

A: The two relevant enactments are the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (Section 11), and the Indian Penal Code (Sections 428 & 429). Please always confront the people who may be resorting to unlawful, cruel acts, and lodge complaints with the police, if need be.

Some of the forms of cruelty prescribed under Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 are beating, kicking, over-riding, over-driving, over-loading, torturing, causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal; keeping or confining any animal in any cage or any receptacle, which does not measure sufficiently in height, length and breadth to permit the animal a reasonable opportunity for movement; and mutilating any animal or killing any animal (including stray dogs) by using the method of strychnine injections in the heart or in any other unnecessarily cruel manner.

Q. Can the public make a complaint to the police regarding animal abuse?

A: Yes, indeed. The offences set out in Sections 428 & 429 of the Indian Penal Code, and even some sub-sections of Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, are cognizable. The police can take cognizance of the same. Additionally, the Police Acts of most states contain separate chapters in respect of animal cruelty offences, and prescribe how the same have to be dealt with.

Q. Whom do you approach if the police refuses to take any action?

A: Inform us (the AWBI), or take support from local Animal Welfare Organizations/ Society for Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals/NGOs etc.

Q. Some building societies prevent residents from feeding or sheltering stray dogs even in their apartment basements or in front of the building. How can one overrule such opposition?

A: A building society is not a law enforcement agency, or a body with police powers. It cannot interfere with the rights otherwise available to citizens of India. The Rules, bye-laws, etc. of such an entity cannot differ from, or be more restrictive than any law of the land. Therefore, demand, in the first instance, to see the ‘stipulation’ in the rules or bye-laws of the society, or otherwise contained in their allotment terms, that allows them to debar residents from feeding or sheltering community dogs. If there is such a stipulation, please write to us in the said regard, so that we can take it up with them. If there is none, please stand up for your rights. (However please ensure the sterilization and vaccination of the community animals.)

Q. Can you prevent the municipality from removing vaccinated dogs from a colony?

A: If the dogs are both sterilized and vaccinated, the municipality cannot dislocate them. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, forbid the dislocation of sterilized and vaccinated dogs from the territories they belong to.

Q. Do you have any suggestions for people regarding stray animals in their locality since most consider them a menace? Can you suggest some humane approach?

A: India is the land of ahimsa, and all life is equally sacred. In fact, even the Constitution of India casts a duty upon every citizen to show compassion to all living creatures. This Fundamental Duty is set out in Article 51A (g) of the Constitution of India.

Q. We often see cattle bundled into trucks and being transported from one State to the other without food or water. Can a common man stop the truck and take any action?

A: Complain to the police immediately. Note the number of the vehicle. Complain to the local SPCA / local Animal Welfare Organization. Most of all, lodge a complaint with the police that the animals are/were being transported in violation of the Transport of Animals Rules.

Q. Are sports involving animals like bull fighting, jallikattu and cock fighting banned?

A: Litigation is pending in an effort to try and bring about a ban / adequate safeguard and regulation of such violent entertainment involving cruelty to animals.

Q. During festivals and some religious ceremonies, animals are often sacrificed to appease gods. Is this right?

A: No, it is not right. Around religious beliefs and ceremonies however, we have to tread cautiously. That does not of course mean that any animal can be slaughtered / sacrificed, in the name of religion. Perhaps the persons proposing to sacrifice can be asked to point out the religious text that mandates animal sacrifice as being an essential part of their religion.

Q. Most people are ignorant about the animals that can be kept as pets. Could you tell our readers what are the animals that can be kept at home?

A: The dictionary meaning of the term ‘pet’ is ‘any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately’. If indeed that is the intention, ‘companion animals’, i.e. dogs or cats are best kept as pets. It is also very important to keep in mind that a living being is not chattel, and should be kept without cruelty.

Q. The AWBI has been advocating anti-rabies vaccinations and the animal birth control program for stray dogs. How effective do you think this has been in controlling the population of stray dogs? Do you have any statistics regarding the number of States that have implemented this program?

A: The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, mandates that for controlling stray dog population and the spread of rabies, every local authority has to sterilize and vaccinate the dogs in the manner envisaged by the Rules, and put them back at the spot they were picked up from. It can only be effective if area-wise animal birth control is implemented across the length and breadth of the country. Unfortunately, the animal birth control program is not being implemented effectively. However with effective implementation of ABC/AR programme in Chennai and Jaipur, no rabies case has been reported from these two Metros in the last two years and the population of stray dogs has appreciably declined. Therefore, the concept works provided it is implemented aggressively to achieve target of 70% of sterilization and vaccination of dogs.

Q. Finally Gen. Kharb, what is your message to people regarding the need to give a dignified life to animals, especially the homeless?

A: Respect all life and living beings, especially those that are homeless and hence disadvantaged, and show compassion for all living creatures.

Vegans and the city

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/lifestyle/trends/vegans-and-city-272

When the city’s first vegan potluck was organised on October 2, it was simply an effort to bring together those who led cruelty-free lifestyles and those who wanted to lead one. 

The potluck, that had attendees bringing tasty home made vegan goodies, is a positive sign that goes to show — among the Chettinad chicken loving population there also exists a quiet and peaceful community that loves its curd rice made from peanut milk. 

There is a vast difference between vegetarianism and veganism; and vegans in Chennai constantly endeavor to make people aware of the positive side of living an ethical, environmental-friendly and healthy lifestyle. 

Srinivas Krishnaswamy and his wife, Preeti, of Krya Consumer Products were the force behind the delicious vegan potluck. 

Srini and Preeti, who turned vegan in 2010, started a Facebook resource page called ‘Vegans in Chennai’ with a view to inform and help others cope with sustainable urban living in Chennai.

“The potluck brought together anybody who was interested in sampling vegan food and learning more about this cruelty-free lifestyle. Among the crowd were meat-eaters, animal activists and even a 64- year-old who turned vegan overnight along with his family!” says Srinivas. 

While Srinivas dons the mantle of guiding vegans in the city, 25-year-old Niranjan Amarnath helps youngsters turn vegan with his group ‘Chennai Vegan Drinks.’ The group helps organise screenings in colleges to motivate students to take up veganism. 

Niranjan, who screened a film on the benefits of eating natural food at the potluck says, “I am in the process of screening Earthlings, a documentary on animal rights at colleges on World Vegan Day on November 1. While veganism is a new concept, it certainly is picking up. I find that people are enthusiastic and want to explore the concept.” 

A vegan lifestyle doesn’t stop at the exclusion of diary foods and animal products from one’s diet, but also calls for the removal of animal products from one’s lifestyle. This means the elimination of leather, pearls, silk, cosmetics tested on animals and your favourite ice cream too! 

Anuradha Chawla, who’s been vegan for the last four years finds that Chennai offers a variety of vegan cuisine that help one stay on the path of righteousness. “Restaurants like Little Italy veganise food on request. There are also bakeries like Wholistic Breads and The Sugar Hut that offer vegan delights. Nature’s Co, in Express Avenue offers cruelty-free wellness and body products.”

 

While Wholistic Breads in Adyar is nearly 90 per cent vegan, The Sugar Hut by Nanditha Sashidharan can dish out vegan cakes and cupcakes on request. 

Says Nanditha, “Orders for vegan treats are certainly going up and I find that mostly youngsters are attempting to make this conscious choice.”

This is definitely not the time to complain, or make excuses about insufficient help in leading a vegan life. If you’re an animal lover and want to turn over a new leaf, help is certainly at hand.

Four arrested for trying to sell blackbuck in Delhi

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/four-arrested-for-trying-to-sell-blackbuck-138379

New Delhi:  Four men were arrested today while trying to sell a blackbuck in a posh locality in south Delhi.

The accused, hailing from Meerut, were caught trying to strike a deal at Rs. 6 lakhs for the blackbuck - an endangered animal - in Greater Kailash - 1 area.

The blackbuck had been brought to the city in an Indica car. Following a tip-off, the police conducted searches and subsequently rescued the animal from the car.

"We received information that in view of Eid next month, some people were trying to sell blackbuck in Greater Kailash near W Block Park in order to get a good price...They had stolen the deer from Sanjay Van in Partapur", a senior police official said. One of the accused, Pawan, was hired by the other three as a driver.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/four-arrested-for-trying-to-sell-blackbuck-138379&c