Latest news with #AravallisBachaoCitizensMovement
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
No wildlife rescue centre in Gurugram even a year after RTI flags crisis
More than a year after an urgent Right to Information (RTI) request exposed the absence of an approved wildlife treatment and rescue centre in Gurugram, the situation remains unchanged, sparking concern among conservationists and legal activists. The continuing lack of infrastructure is being seen as a serious threat to the district's wild species, including those protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA). Filed under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act—which deals with matters of 'life and liberty'—the plea had sought details on available wildlife rescue facilities and accountability for previous wildlife deaths caused by inadequate care. In its January 9, 2024, response, the divisional wildlife officer, Gurugram, admitted, 'Presently no approved treatment/rescue centre is working under this division.' However, no steps have been taken since then to create one. 'There is still no new facility, veterinary staff, or even a designated location,' said Vaishali Rana, wildlife volunteer and trustee of the Aravallis Bachao Citizens Movement. 'One year after this RTI laid bare the state's failure, absolutely nothing has changed on the ground.' The RTI also highlighted the absence of trained veterinary specialists and emergency protocols for treating injured or ill wild animals—particularly Schedule I species such as langurs, Indian peafowl, and monitor lizards. Though the department claimed 'proper treatment' is provided when complaints arise, activists say this vague assurance fails to address the core problem. 'Gurugram needs a fully equipped, government-recognised wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre with round-the-clock care,' Rana added. Forest department officials, requesting anonymity said that current rescue efforts rely on ad-hoc arrangements, with injured wildlife often transported by guards or volunteers to clinics unfit for wild species. The RTI response was forwarded to senior authorities in Panchkula, including the Chief Wildlife Warden, but no follow-up directives have been made public. Advocate Chander Saharan, who filed the RTI, called the inaction 'deeply disappointing' and warned it could expose the state to liability under wildlife protection and cruelty laws. Conservationists are now preparing to approach the state human rights Commission and the National Green Tribunal.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Illegal use of Langurs in Gurugram triggers outcry, forest minister promises action
The use of a langur to deter monkeys at a residential society in Sector 79, Gurugram, has triggered allegations of animal cruelty and violations of wildlife protection laws. The incident, captured in photographs, shows a man walking the langur on a leash within the society premises, leading to criticism from wildlife volunteers who alleged that this is part of a larger pattern of misuse of the species in the district. 'This practice is a direct violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It is not just unlawful; it is inhumane,' said Vaishali Rana, trustee of the Aravallis Bachao Citizens Movement and a prominent environmentalist. Rana flagged the case in a formal complaint to the Haryana Wildlife Department, calling it the third such incident in Gurugram within a year. She cited two previous episodes—at a banquet hall in Gwalpahari and in Suncity Township, Sector 54—where langurs were reportedly kept in captivity under cruel conditions before being rescued on January 13. 'These langurs are being captured, transported, and exploited for commercial and residential purposes,' she said, criticising the lack of transparency and enforcement by the authorities. To be sure, the use of langurs to scare away monkeys is a violation of multiple sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Langurs are protected under Schedule I, which grants them the highest level of legal protection. Under Section 9, it is illegal to capture, trap, or use such animals without specific permission. Section 39 states that all wild animals are government property and cannot be kept in private custody. Violations can attract up to seven years of imprisonment and fines under Section 51 of the Act. Wildlife experts say the use of langurs by private individuals, agencies, or residential societies amounts to a serious wildlife offence under Indian law. Rana also raised concerns about the treatment of rescued animals. 'The animals are being rescued only to suffer further. In one case, a langur remained caged for more than a month without treatment and eventually died in a state of neglect,' she alleged. According to her, Gurugram lacks an in-house veterinary doctor, leaving rescued animals without proper care. 'No one has told us what happens to these animals post-rescue,' Rana said. 'We need to know where the animals are kept, how long they are treated, whether a qualified vet is involved, and when and where they are released. It's a matter of public trust and of justice for the animals,' she added. [ANOTHER WILDLIFE ACTIVIST QUOTE ON THE VIOLATIONS] In response, Haryana's forest and wildlife minister Rao Narbir Singh assured action. 'We take such violations very seriously. I have directed the wildlife department to conduct a thorough inspection of the incident and review similar past cases. Prompt action will be taken against anyone found guilty of illegal wildlife use or cruelty,' he said. Singh also acknowledged gaps in the system. 'We are committed to protecting wildlife and ensuring they are treated with dignity and care. If there are gaps in the system, we will address them,' he added, noting that veterinary care and oversight would be improved.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘Abuse of a protected wild species': Gurgaon activist flags use of langurs by RWAs, businesses to drive away monkeys
The illegal practice of using langurs to drive away rhesus monkeys continues in Gurgaon, with an incident on Tuesday at Mapsko Mountville apartment complex in Sector 79 drawing fresh attention to the issue. 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.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Forest fire rages near Bandhwari, blocked roads hit op to douse it
Gurgaon: A raging fire engulfed forest areas adjoining the Bandhwari landfill, consuming dry wood and kikkar trees in its path, on Monday. Two fire tenders reached the spot and tried to douse the fire that started around 3.40pm. It has been difficult to douse the fire as it spread inside the forest and the road has been blocked by MCG. "We received information about a fire in the Bandhwari forest area at 4.15pm. Initially, two fire tenders were sent and then five were deployed to extinguish the blaze," deputy director (technical) of fire department Gulshan Kalra said. The forest department said it has sent a team to investigate the incident. The firefighters were still trying to control the blaze till the time of filing the report. The blaze, suspected to be a deliberate act to clear the forest for potential land occupation, sparked outrage among environmentalists and local residents. Trustee of Aravallis Bachao Citizens Movement Vaishali Rana said, "This is the second fire in the Aravalis this month. There was a fire in the forest adjoining Bandhwari Landfill on April 3 too. This looks like a nefarious plan of somebody to occupy more space." "Fire engines cannot reach the back side of the landfill, where the forest fire is raging because MCG has blocked the revenue road with tonnes of municipal waste, which leads to the forest. I have been demanding the forest dept to demarcate their area and penalise MCG for occupying more forest area than what was sanctioned to them and the wildlife department to cancel MCG's Wildlife NOC, but no concrete steps have been taken so far," Rana said. Commuters and residents had a tough time on Monday afternoon as a toxic smoke billowed from the forest and enveloped the Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, leading to low visibility and breathing issues. The thick, toxic smoke from the forest fire made it almost impossible to see the road ahead. Om Vir, a daily commuter on the Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, said, "Breathing was difficult and the 2km-stretch journey felt like navigating through a hazardous maze. It was a truly harrowing experience." The forest department said it might be a fire because of the waste dumping in the forest. "A team has been sent to investigate the matter, but prima facie it doesn't look like a forest fire," divisional forest officer (Gurgaon) Raj Kumar said. Joint commissioner for Swachh Bharat Mission (MCG) Akhilesh Kumar Yadav could not be reached.
