Story/place-Chandrapur.
TNN, Jan 11, 2011, 05.15am IST
Tags:Wildlife Activists|Vidya Mandir High School|Indian Rock Python
CHANDRAPUR: A show of snakes by a bunch of sarpa mitras or friends of snakes at Vidya Mandir High School in Urjanagar on Friday has irked wildlife activists. The show was called off mid way after a verbal complaint was lodged with the forest authorities by the joint secretary of Green Planet Society, Prof Sachin Wazalar. Though no offence was registered under the violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the offenders were let off with a stern warning.
Before the forest officials and wild activists arrived, one of the accused removed all the snakes from the venue. Later, the accused were taken to the range forest office for questioning, but no snakes were seized.
"An Indian Rock python and two Russell vipers were on display during the show. The weak and unhealthy reptiles were handled with sticks," alleged Wazalwar, adding that the python is an endangered schedule-I animal. "Mishandling and endangering it is similar to endangering the tiger," said Wazalwar.
"Those involved in the snake show are associated with the Snake Friends Organisation. Since they are newly trained, they are causing injuries to the rare species. After rescuing snakes, they keep them in a closed plastic container instead of releasing them in the forests. Captivity makes snakes weak. They become incompatible to the natural habitat," added Wazalwar.
He lamented the fact that no action was taken against offenders and that they were let off with just a mild warning. Acting RFO, Rajiv Pawar, told TOI that the snake friends were warned and allowed to go as there was no complaint lodged against them.
"If wildlife activists give us written complaints with concrete evidence, we are ready to take stringent action against the offenders," Pawar said.
source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by jimsjungleretreat.com
No comments:
Post a Comment