In March, the court had asked the government to provide particulars of two NGOs, one in Katraj and the other in Panvel, that would assist in keeping exotic animals rescued by the police and/or those that visited Mumbai and stayed back.
The conservator of forest (wildlife) has urged the Bombay High Court to decided on the fate of around 500 exotic birds and animals rescued by the police. Earlier, conservator MM Kulkarni was asked by the court to give a report on two NGOs that have the required facilities to rehabilitate birds/animals.
In his affidavit filed before the high court, Kulkarni stated that a team of experts visited two NGOs – Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Katraj and Myvets Charitable Trust and Research Centre in Panvel – and checked their facilities, which were found to be good enough to house the rescued birds and animals.
Even though both the facilities were found to be good, the affidavit stated that Myvet's was close to the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, which could make it easier for forest officials to visit the facility frequently.
The affidavit, filed through government pleader Bharat Mehta, also said that veterinary doctors were available at both the NGOs to provide proper treatment to injured birds and animals. However, it stated that the court should pass suitable orders for making provisions for rehabilitation of exotic birds and animals.
In March, the court had asked the government to provide particulars of two NGOs, one in Katraj and the other in Panvel, that would assist in keeping exotic animals rescued by the police and/or those that visited Mumbai and stayed back. The court had given the direction while hearing a petition filed by Viniyog Parivar Trust, which claimed that no natural habitat was available to these exotic birds and animals. Earlier, the court had suggested the names of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the Karnala Bird Sanctuary but the forest department turned down the suggestion, saying both of them could not be natural habitats for the animals in view of the fact that there were other wildlife animals already present there.
Further, the government had also suggested Byculla Zoo as a place where they could be kept but the court shot down the suggestion, saying the place was in bad shape and no proper facilities were available there.
In 1997, the trust had approached the court by filing a public interest litigation. The court had constituted a 14-member committee to suggest ways and means to ensure compliance with the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Exotic birds, animals
Exotic birds and animals include different varieties of munias, parakeets, peacocks, weaver birds, koel, mynahs, owls and star tortoises, which are commonly sold.
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