BLACK BUCKS IN CUSTODY
ACTIVIST DEMANDS ACTION

Mathura April 22 (IANS)

Wild life activists and conservationists have demanded firm action against an ashram in Mathura district which holds back 400 black bucks in captivity, in violation of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

On April 18, Naresh Kadyan, Representative of OIPA (international organization for protection of animals) in India, Master Trainer, AWBI (animal welfare board of India) and Member of the Emergency Relief Network, Wildlife Trust of India visited Kashni Ashram in Gokul area across Yamuna river and found as many as 400 black bucks, scheduled one wild animal, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Talking to IANS, Kadyan said the  Central Zoo Authority of India - CZA has never recognized the said private zoo “under section 38-H of the said Act, which violated section 39 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 read with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 section 3 and 11 because common visitors offered unnatural foods in unlimited quantity, which can harm the animals.”

Kadyan alongwith other activists have demanded immediate legal action against all offenders “after rescuing all abused animals, including a female elephant in chains. One elephant died sometimes ago.”

The ashram had been requested to comply with the regulations but “the management paid no heeds. Hence all trustees of the Ashram including manager along with the local Wildlife officials are responsible for breaking the law and criminal conspiracy against wild animals.

Kadyan said all 400 scheduled one wild animals are kept under boundary wall, within the premises of the Ashram since long with the consent of the Wildlife officials willingly, hence Central Zoo Authority of India, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau along with Animal Welfare Board of India and Animal Welfare Division, all should  take immediate legal action to rescue all 400 black bucks along with the female elephant.

Interestingly, all these animals have not been declared to be in the possession of the Ashram, as required under the law.