Make 2012 a bow-wow year

If a stray’s condition on Mumbai’s streets has given you much heartbreak, here’s a chance to help set things right. Just do your bit by buying a calendar and you can help an animal lead a happy and safe life in 2012.

This year, In Defense of Animals (IDA) India, an animal welfare organisation which has been working to save abused and helpless animals on the streets of Mumbai for the last 16 years, has launched its first calendar. It has been designed not only to delight animal lovers but also to spread awareness of key animal welfare issues. 

The calendar that costs Rs 100, features 12 touching stories of animals rescued here. Proceeds go towards the  welfare of animals at IDA India’s centre at Deonar.

“We wanted to showcase the work done, so each month features a poignant piece on a rescued creature from the Mumbai’s streets,” says Madhu Roy, project coordinator at IDA India.

She recalls an incident about a man who was caught selling thousands of coloured chickens for Rs 10 in the city. The chickens were confiscated and taken to a farm by IDA India.

The IDA India’s centre is still home to over 600 dogs and 50 cats, including their 150 resident cats and dogs. “Several people come here and leave their pets. We take care of them,” says Madhu.

Those willing or wanting to take things a step further can also sponsor an animal by either visiting their website or visiting the centre itself. You can choose the animal and help take care of its day-to-day expenses. Besides this, you can also buy other merchandise like T-shirts, key chains and diaries to  support the cause.

IDA India also extends a helping hand to horses, donkeys and cattle.

Get you copy by calling 9004661667.
Price: Rs 100.
You could also log on to www.idaindia.org

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/LifeStyle/Make-2012-a-bow-wow-year/Article1-790949.aspx

Cell culture an alternative to animal testing

HYDERABAD: For each batch of novel vaccine, drugs or medicines approved and made accessible, thousands of animals are subjected to repeated testing of high doses of these chemicals, as specified by the Schedule Y of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rule of the government of India. Despite alternative methods of testing being available, few industries and laboratories implement these procedures. 

“The protocol for scientists allows animal experimentation only in the absence of an alternative, as decided by Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) under the ministry of environment and forests, Government of India. However, the rules decided upon in 2006 have not been published yet,” says Dr Syed SYH Qadri, secretary of Laboratory Animal Scientists’ Association of India (LASA). 

“There are multiple alternatives available now to research on animals. For example, instead of screening 50 molecules for prospective therapeutic molecules on as many animals, it is possible to test the efficacy of the molecules in-vitro. The organ from one animal can be extracted and applied in cell culture,” added Dr Qadri. Despite guidelines by European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), few industries follow alternative techniques instead of animal testing in India. 

“The CPCSEA also requires every research institute to have an ethics committee to monitor testing on laboratory animals. Of this, one member has to be a socially-aware representative, unconnected to scientific community and one member, a nominee of the ministry. Many organizations do not follow a stringent code monitored by the committee to look into the issue of ethics in animal testing,” commented the scientist.

A conference was held on ‘Modernizing chemical safety testing and risk assessments’ at the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad which looked at rethinking the treatment of animals under laboratory conditions. The conference invited Dr Thomas Hartung, Director of Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing at John Hopkins University to address new technologies which can substitute animal testing. The event was organized by Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) in collaboration with Humane Society International and Indian Pharmacological Society.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cell-culture-an-alternative-to-animal-testing/217248-60-121.html

CM promises a better tomorrow

GUWAHATI: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi's New Year gifts for the state not only held out promise for human beings, but also for animals. "We should take care of wildlife too, along with humans. As human-elephant is taking serious turn in the state, my government is going to actively pursue a solution to the problem. We are going to do something to ensure the safety and security of elephants," Gogoi announced at his official residence atop Kainadhora Hill here on Sunday. 

The chief minister said a committee will be formed soon comprising experts from the state and other parts of the country to find solution to the increasing human-elephant conflict. 

Gogoi added elephants are increasingly entering into human settlements and damaging property because of depleting food supply in forests. "The committee will also take care of ways to make food available for elephants along with ensuring their habitats are protected. The conflict is becoming serious because food availability is getting reduced and habitats are being destroyed," he said. 

The CM added the government will move ahead with the mitigation programme, based on suggestions by the committee. With the onset of the harvest season, several districts in the state are in the throes of acute human-elephant conflict. At least four persons were killed and several houses damaged by elephants in Nagaon district in the past two months. In Jorhat district too, recently many people were rendered homeless and cropland destroyed by elephants. Udalguri along the India-Bhutan border is also witnessing a spurt in man-animal conflict. 

On the human welfare front, the chief minister announced that Rs 5,000 crore will be mobilized by the state government to fund a number of welfare schemes for five years. He said the focus in 2012 will be on finding a solution to the erosion problem in the state and work for rehabilitation of people displaced by flood and erosion. Gogoi announced Rs 1,000 crore for rehabilitation of erosion-affected people. 

He said although the state has made substantial progress in the health sector, a lot needs to be done in some areas . "Our focus in the health sector in 2012 will be on reducing infant and maternal mortality rates. We will fight malnutrition problem seriously," Gogoi said. 

Most of the welfare programmes of the last year will be continued in 2012 and the government has outlined initiatives for expanding them. He said the interest rate for crop loans for farmers would be reduced to 2% from 3% while tractors will be distributed at 50% subsidy. 

On fighting corruption, Gogoi said the Lokayukta would be strengthened and evaluation and monitoring committees would be formed in all departments for ensuring transparency. "On top of the evaluation and monitoring committee in each department, there will be third party evaluation and monitoring for transparency," Gogoi added. Tribunals for dealing with land-grabbing cases and grievances of pensioners will be created, Gogoi said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/CM-promises-a-better-tomorrow/articleshow/11333053.cms   

CAPE India asks EC to ban use of animals in polls

Care for Animals and Protection of Environment (CAPE) has sought a ban from the Election Commission (EC) on use of animals in the election campaign by various political parties. The EC has already put a ban in Maharashtra in the upcoming local bodies elections. “The ban should also be enforced in Punjab,” said Dr Sandeep Jain, chief co-ordinator of CAPE India and inspecting authority- Animal welfare board of India in a letter written to the EC and EC Punjab.

Political parties are commonly seen using dogs, donkeys and monkeys in their election campaign to show the plight of the rival party. “This is an atrocity towards animals and it should not happen in this election campaign. Normally the faces of animals are also painted black. The animals are made to walk for hours without any water or food. This is cruelty against animals,” said Dr Jain.

Dr Jain also recommended that a check needs to be put on the use of elephants and bullock carts by candidates when they come to file nomination papers. “This is done by many heavyweight candidates to show their style, this not only causes traffic problem, but also amounts to great inconvenience to the speechless animals,” he added. He asked the EC to immediately impose a ban because the candidates are already busy in their political rallies in which the use of animals may be done frequently. 

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cape-india-asks-ec-to-ban-use-of-animals-in-polls/893713/

‘Jaw traps’ suspected for tiger death in Bandipur

An incident of Forest officials allegedly hushing up the death of a tiger caught in a ‘jaw trap’ has come to light in the limits of Bandipur National Park.

A 10-year-old male tiger was found dead in the Kalkere range of the Park on December 30 and the official version was that the animal died of hunger. One more tiger was found dead at the same spot on December 31 after being caught in a ‘jaw trap.’ 

It is said senior officers visited the spot clandestinely and buried the caracass. They are also said to have taken  photographs of the dead animal and the ‘jaw trap.’

According to the guidelines framed by National Tiger Conservation Authority, post mortem on tigers should be conducted in the presence of two representatives of non-governmental organisations. Accordingly, two representatives were present during the post mortem on the tiger which died of hunger. However, sources in the Forest department say that the officials have maintained secrecy on the ‘jaw trap’ death of the tiger. 

There had been no reports of ‘jaw trap’ deaths in the State for the past three years. The practice of hunting animals using this type of trap is more prevalent in North India and the tribals of Madhya Pradesh are said to be experts.

The first such case came to light in South India at Nagarahole National Park in 2002. Two hunters were arrested in Veeranahosahalli, Nagarahole in 2008 for using the trap. It is said the forest officials are attempting to suppress the recent incident to escape laxity charges. A wildlife expert, who wished to be unnamed, said true facts would come to light if a CID investigation is ordered into the death of tigers. 

Dr K T Hanumanthappa, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bandipur, told Deccan Herald that a tiger died of oral lesions in Kalkere range and that the caracass was burnt after a post mortem. He denied any ‘jaw trap’ deaths of tiger in the Range.

What is a jaw trap?

A common foothold trap is made of two jaws, a trigger in the middle and one or two springs. A round pan usually acts as a trigger. The traps, usually laid on the tracks frequented by animals, are anchored to the earth with the help of strong chains and are camouflaged with dry leaves. 

As soon as the animal steps on the trigger, the trap closes around the foot clamping down its limb or paw. As the animal struggles to free itself writhing in pain, the steel vise cuts into its flesh, some times down to the bone. 

The trapped animals are sometimes gunned down by hunters, while in some cases they die of pain and hunger.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/216038/jaw-traps-suspected-tiger-death.html

Animal activists look forward to legislation

The Constitution of India vide Article 51A (g) enshrines and casts upon every citizen of India the duty to have compassion for all living creatures, as a Fundamental Duty. The mute cannot complain and hence the responsibility to ensure compassionate handling of animals is greater. With this in mind, the Animal Welfare Board of India created a comprehensive draft of the Animal Welfare Act, 2011. The draft was posted on the website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in February 2011 and suggestions and objections were welcomed. Animal lovers and activists are hopeful that 2012 will see the act come into effect.

Arpan Sharma, convener, Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO), said, “We have been pushing for it to be passed for some years now. We are hopeful that it will be tabled in the Parliament in early 2012.” Some of the salient features of the draft enactment are Augmenting animal welfare and well-being; strengthening animal welfare organizations and conscientious citizens who wish to espouse the cause of animal welfare and well-being; enhancing penalties for animal abuse; altering and enlarging the definition of animal abuse, in keeping with the times and in keeping with judicial pronouncements. 

“After handing in the final cut of the draft to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in July 2011, a sudden, watered down version was circulated by someone from the ministry. The AWBI’s legal committee, (which has four lawyers), protested. We will try and ensure that the AWBI-drafted law will be enacted in 2012,” explained Anjali Sharma, legal adviser and executive committee member, AWBI.

City-based Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) was one of the organizations that sent in suggestions for the draft. “These suggestions pertained to torture, animal slaughter, animal rights and much more. We sat day and night for a month to send in these suggestions and we will be happy to see at least 20 per cent of those being incorporated. We hope that 2012 will see the Act coming into force,” said Khurshid Bhathena, honorary secretary, BWC, Pune.

Awareness among people is the key to the passing of stringent laws for the welfare of animals, feels Supriya Bose, animal welfare officer, Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra (appointed by the Bombay High Court) and also working with the Shri Ramanaghruha Trust, Pune. “People should be sensitised to the issue and should raise their voice against blatant cruelty to animals. Then, there will be pressure for the Act to be implemented,” she said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Animal-activists-look-forward-to-legislation/894320/