‘Abuse of a protected wild species': Gurgaon activist flags use of langurs by RWAs, businesses to drive away monkeys
In a letter to the Gurgaon district wildlife officer on Tuesday, Vaishali Rana, environmental activist and trustee of the Aravallis Bachao Citizens Movement, stated that the case is the third she has reported in the last one year.
'… the repeated illegal and unethical use of langurs by various RWAs (Residents Welfare Associations) and commercial establishments in Gurgaon to drive away rhesus monkeys…is a clear violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and also contravenes provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, as it involves the exploitation, captivity, and abuse of a protected wild species,' she wrote.
The letter contains photographs showing an individual, presumably a hired catcher, leading a langur on a leash around the society's premises. 'This act is not only unlawful but also an instance of animal cruelty,' she pointed out.
Rana mentioned the previous two instances were at a hotel's banquet hall and at Suncity residential complex, both at Gwal Pahari. In both instances, the langurs were tied up and kept in cruel conditions for extended periods, and eventually rescued by forest guards.
She urged the department to take strict action against individuals or agencies involved in any such illegal capture, taming, and commercial use of langurs. Rana further sought that circulars be issued to RWAs and other establishments regarding the ban on such practices and the public be made aware through online and newspaper notices.
She also sought information on the rehabilitation process of rescued langurs, specifically, where they are housed post-confiscation, the duration of their care, medical status, and when and where they are finally released.
Rana noted that at present the district wildlife department has no in-house veterinarian. 'The langurs rescued from the above-mentioned places were kept captive for more than a month, caged, with ZERO MEDICAL CARE and one Langur died in captivity in utter state of neglect,' she flagged.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Gurgaon district wildlife officer R K Jangra acknowledged such cases. 'Whatever cases we get complaints about, we send rescue teams immediately. Practically speaking, we do not have the manpower to patrol or keep a tab on each society. The rescued animals are taken to the city's veterinary surgeons, as our department's veterinarian stays busy tending to animals at the zoo. Regarding the use of langurs, we run several awareness campaigns in schools and other public spaces,' Jangra said.
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