Forest department to sift gold diggers from Steve Irwins

It all started with allegations of negligence in the upkeep of animals at the Sayajibaug Zoo. Members of the Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (GSPCA) alleged that negligence by the authorities led to the death of four sambhars — a Schedule I antelope. Following this,a group of activists made representations to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation,accusing GSPCA of garnering publicity by tarnishing image of Gujarat’s oldest zoo.

Allegations and counter-allegations followed,with CDs of ill-treatment of animals at the residence of GSPCA member Snehal Bhavsar circulated among forest officers,and the video uploaded on YouTube.

A senior Forest Officer said: “It was becoming an ugly situation and we thought that the time has come to put the organisations and their activities under the scanner. It is unfortunate that those who are supposed to take care of animals have indulged in mudslinging. Every volunteer feels he is Steve or Terri Irwin. But they never attend to calls of injured animals and birds because that does not fetch them any publicity or funding.”

Incidentally,the forest department has never checked the so-called ‘rescue’ centres located at the residences of animal activists and neither the department has any record of the number animals rescued and released by them.

The Forest Department recently served notice to Vishal Thakur of the Crocodile Group following complaints that scheduled birds and animals were kept at his home,but,so far,has received no reply in the matter.

Deputy Conservator of Forest G A Brahmbhatt,who recently assumed charge,said some steps have been taken to monitor the wildlife rescue activities in Vadodara. “It is true that there were no records of the NGOs and volunteers dealing with wildlife rescue. We have now decided to verify the registration details of each organisation.”

Brahmbhatt added: “We have approached the Charity Commissioner where these organisations are registered. Since they are not experts in wildlife,they give the registration certificate,but we have categorically asked them to inform us before registering any organisations or individuals. We have also decided not to allow any more organisation to handle wildlife.”