FINAL SOLUTION BMC working on plan to impose total ban on plastic bags
Mumbai : Pune did it, now Mumbai is planning to.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning a total ban on plastic bags in Mumbai -- currently, only those less than 50 microns in thickness are banned. That ban was imposed by the state government in 2005, on the behest of the BMC.
Plastic bags had proved to be a major factor in the choking of drains in the city during the 26/7 flooding. Bags less than 50 microns were banned because they tend to fly easily because of their light weight, landing in drains and sewage lines, and preventing the smooth flow of rainwater.
Since then, the BMC has found that the 50-micron ban has not proven useful since monitoring the sale of bags less than 50 microns is difficult. Now, the BMC is planning to implement what the Pune Municipal Corporation announced earlier this week -- a complete ban on the sale of plastic bags.
"We are serious about this," said Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, adding that the proposal will be discussed in the next meeting of civic group leaders in the first week of January. "I will also write to the municipal commissioner so the BMC can start preparations for the ban," she said.
BMC Commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya said: "The solution on plastic bags must be practical. If Pune has completely banned them, we will see exactly what they have decided."
Jadhav also said: "The time has come to go back to our conventional cloth bags."
Environmentalists welcomed the idea. Sunish Subramanian, founder and secretary of Plant and Animal Welfare Society, said: "If it happens, it'll be great. But lawmakers must see that it is implemented strictly."
The Maharashtra Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture and Usage) Rules, 2006, say the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags must be 50 microns, and their size must be no less than 8 x 12 inches.
Four-year-old Hitesh does not know the meaning of ‘animal lover’ but his love for animals has not gone unnoticed
Recently, he bagged Robin Age Bright Sparks Scholarship for Horse Power (training in handling and riding horses). The sholarship is sponsored by an equestrian centre and gives the child a chance to stay at the centre and interact with ponies and horses.
Speaking about the award Sunish Subramanian founder of PAWS stated, “This year our NGO got a mention in the Limca Book of Records- 2009 under Youth for Animals category. Hitesh’s award is in fact an award for all of us because he is our youngest member. As he lives in my neighbourhood I have observed this child very closely. Unlike other children, Hitesh is not afraid of animals. For a four year old kid this is something amazing. Hitesh plays with all the injured birds and animals undergoing treatment at our centre.
However, he is very fond of snakes so we allow him to handle the non poisonous species. A few months back, Hitesh came to me carrying two tiny sparrows. He had rescued these birds from the dogs. Even his parents were not aware of his brave deed. Touched by his compassion towards these tiny birds, our organisation decided to enroll him as the youngest member. This news was published in The Times of India, that probably must have caught the attention of the publishers of Robin Age, a magazine for children in the age group of 5-12 years.”
Little Hitesh who is a pre-primary student from NES Sunbeam English school does not know the meaning of ‘animal lover’ but his love for animals has not gone unnoticed. The Robin Age scholarship entitles him to undergo training in horse power, mainly lessons on how to handle horses. According to his mother Neerjala, “Hitesh is a quiet child he does not like to play with a bat or ball. However, he loves playing with all kinds of live animals and birds including snakes. Initially, I was scared when I found him handling snakes, but now looking at his passion my fear is slowly dying. I have started reading books on animal life to know about the various creatures, their food habits, etc so that I can update him during his growing years.”
Incidentally, Hitesh’s favourite television channel happens to be Discovery followed by National Geographic and snakes are his friends.
Powai - 13 December 09 : Hitesh Yadav is a four year old child from Bhandup. This little animal lover started getting recognition by society for his love for animals from a very early age. Hitesh has recently received the 'Robin Age Bright Sparks Scholarship for Horse Power' as an award.
'Robin Age' is a weekly children's newspaper exclusively designed for children between 5 and 14 years.
He is also the youngest voluntary member of Plant & Animals Welfare Society Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai).
Robin Age carries news and information on current affairs, science, technology, sports, careers, culture and environment along with activities, puzzles and projects that children can do themselves.
At this tender age he has handled various creatures like: snakes, birds, dogs, cats, etc. While talking to PP his mother Nirjala Yadav told us, “We are happy with Hitesh's love for animals and we have always supported him for whatever he wanted to do. Since childhood he used to observe animals and snakes. The Animal Activist, Sunish Subramanian lives near our house and he used to go to his home to watch injured animals he used to bring for treatment.
While talking to PP, Animal Activist Sunish Subramanian told, “It is a good sign that today's generation is showing interest in animal welfare and environment protection, which is very important in today's world to save our mother earth and we want more children like him, it will will definitely make a difference to see animals and our environment protected”.
If you are an animal lover like Hitesh and see a bird or animal in distress; you can help the bird or animal yourself or call PAWS-Mumbai Helpline 98334 80388 for guidance and become a helping hand for our voiceless creatures.
To create awareness about wild life conservation, animal lovers in the city have planned several activities on the occasion of 'World Wildlife Week' which is being celebrated from October 1 to 7 and World Animal Welfare Day (October 3).
Plants and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Mumbai, launched its website last week to guide people about the animal welfare laws. "At times, people are keen on protecting animals from being harmed, but they don't know how to go about with it. This website will guide them with the laws related to animals. It also possesses the important phone numbers which can help them file a police complaint," said Sunish Subramanian, founder, PAWS-Mumbai.
"We have also created an email account animalvoice@rediffmail.com, where people can post their complaints. Revealing the identity is not important while filing the complaint," he added.
The website is aimed at strengthening the organisation's campaign against elephants roaming freely in city, illegal horse carriages in city areas and market of illegal wild and exotic birds.
Another NGO Haryali had organised a lecture on wildlife in Thane by Dr Dileep Gujar, deputy conservator of forest. The organisation also has plans to arrange nature trails at Koknipada region in Thane soon as a part of its Wildlife Week celebrations.
Haryali also plans to educate the masses about the bio-diversity in Thane forest and make them aware of the various projects taken up in areas near Koknipada.
Mumbai: If you’ve ever witnessed cruelty towards an animal, but didn’t know what you could do to prevent it, the Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) now has an online alternative.
To commemorate the ongoing World Wildlife Week (October 1 to 9), PAWS has launched a website, taking the battle against animal cruelty a step further.
The main aim of the website, however, is to encourage citizens to report instances of cruelty towards animals. To access the PAWS website, go to http://animalvoiceofmumbai.webs.comTNN
Mumbai: A police vehicle hit a horse outside Churchgate station on Thursday, bringing traffic to a standstill just as peak hour was beginning at around 5 pm. The north-bound police jeep was making an illegal U-turn near the excise commissioner’s office on Karve Road when it hit the horse, which was drawing a Victoria on the south-bound side of the road.
A senior official at Azad Maidan police station confirmed the mishap but said only the horse carriage had been damaged. The injured horse, apparently stunned, stood motionless on the street, leaning against the jeep. While passers-by milled around the police vehicle, the Victoria driver unhitched the injured animal and led it to one side where it stood quietly, bleeding from a chest wound.
The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) despatched an ambulance to the spot. BSPCA secretary Col J C Khannasaid the horse had a deep lacerated wound on its chest, bruising on three legs, and dehydration. He said the animal had been given antibiotics and painkillers.
Traffic police sources said a U-turn was illegal unless a sign indicated it was allowed. There was no such indication where the accident occurred.
-- After this Article PAWS-Mumbai take-up this issue with Police by writing a letter --
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be measured
by the way its animals are treated." ---- Mahatma Gandhi
Date : 14.9.2009
To,
Senior Police Inspector
Azad Maidan Police Station
Esplaned Bldg., Gr. Floor., Near BMC Head Office,
Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai- 1.
Tel.: 22678115, 22620295, 22620697
Subject : Injury to a horse by Police van.
Reference : News article in The Times of India, dated Friday, September 11, 2009 - Copy of News Paper Attached with this letter.
Dear Sir,
This is to request you to file an FIR against the driver of the “Police Van” who has driven rashly and taken illegal turn at Churchgate as mentioned in the above-mentioned article (U-turn near the Excise Commissioner’s Office on Karve Road).
The driver has been negligent in his duties and has thus endangered the life and limb of the mute and helpless animal. Due to his negligence the poor horse has been injured grievously and thus is undergoing immense physical and mental agony.
I urge you to file an FIR against the driver and take stringent action against him so that no other driver dares to violate traffic laws and cause injuries to humans and animal, as live photos in the article is itself an evidence of the incident.
Kindly inform me of the action taken on my complaint at the earliest.
Thanking you.
Sunish Subramanian Founder & Secretary, PAWS-Mumbai . Member, People For Animals
Hon. Animal Welfare Officer, Animal Welfare Board of India (Govt. of India)
Hon. Animal Welfare Officer, Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra (Appointed by Hon. the Bombay High Court)
Copy to :
The Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Police Head Quarters,
Opp. Crawford Market, Mumbai – 400 001.
The Addl. Commissioner of Police,South Region Office, Sir J.J. Road, Opp. Hume School, Nagpada, Mumbai – 400 008. Tel.: 23080024 / 23
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-1, 109 Valchand Herachand Marg, Opp. GPO, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001. Tel.: 22620453, 22671408
The Asst. Commissioner of Police, Azad Maidan Division Office, Bazaar Gate, Opp. CST Station, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001. Tel.: 22697148
----------Follow-Up-----------
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 . Page 6
Cop booked for knocking down horse
Constable was behind the wheel of his jeep when it crashed into a horse carriage near Churchgate
A constable with the Motor Transport Department has been booked for negligent driving after he knocked down a carriage-drawing horse near Churchgate Railway Station recently.
Constable Sachin Jadhav was at the wheel of a police jeep when he took a U-turn near the Excise Commissioner’s office on Maharshi Karve Road and rammed into the Victoria on September 10. The carriage owner panicked and took off, leaving the horse to his fate on the road. The horse, which had sustained grievous injuries, stood motionless for over an hour before the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) was finally called in to take it to hospital.
“An FIR has been registered against Jadhav under Sections 279 and 336 for negligent driving and causing grievous injuries,” said Senior Police Inspector Bhaurao Bhawale.
However, he added, “As he belongs to the Motor Transport Department, we have now forwarded the case to them; they will initiate action against him.”
DCP K Y Joshi of the Motor Transport Department said, “I have asked for the details of the case. Investigations are on and we will take action against the constable accordingly.”
BSPCA Secretary Lt Col (Retd) Dr J C Khanna said that though the animal had sustained some serious injuries.
“It had a deep laceration on the chest. The muscles had been torn and it was bleeding profusely. We operated on it as soon as we brought it in, and it received 20 stitches,” he said, adding that it would be another month before the horse fully recuperates.
Though the horse is on the road to recovery, animal rights activists feel that stern action should be taken against Jadhav. Sunish Subramanian of the Plants and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) demanded that the driver should also be charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“He should be suspended as well. First of all, as a policeman, he should not have been driving rashly, and when he saw the Victoria, he should have halted the jeep,” he said. He added that the owner – who has not yet turned up to claim the animal – should also be found and charged for negligence.
After actress Hema Malni’s letter to the Kalyan RTO demanding action against tongawallas who ill-treat their horses, the RTO has initiated action with the help of the Kalyan Municipal Corporation, which had granted them license to run tongas.
Encouraged by this, the Mumbai-based organization PAWS-Mumbai has nabbed a person who was forcibly dragging away a horse.
According to Sunish Subramanian, PAWS-Mumbai, founder, “On Friday evening at around 7pm we got a call from a person saying that a man was forcibly dragging a horse on the Eastern Express Highway”.
Subramanian informed the police control room and later reached the spot himself and helped apprehend the person. The person, who identified himself as Iqbal Basheer Sheikh, claimed that he was a resident of Kalyan and the horse owner had assigned him the job of transporting the horse to Nariman Point, where he his buyer was located.
According to Subramanian, as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which was amended in 2001, a person transporting a horse or other such animal on foot must feed and provide water to the animal at regular intervals if the distance is long.
Sheikh confessed that he had not done so and also admitted to have consumed ganja himself enroute.
It may be recalled that, recently, a house found in Kalyan in an injured condition had later died at the hospital. Talking the matter seriously, Heem Malini, had intervened in the matter of ill-treatment of horses.
However, when the PAWS-Mumbai activist took the horse to Vikhroli Police Station to register a case against the person responsible, the police merely sent him away with a warning.
What the Law says?
According to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules, 2001, a person transporting horses, ponies, mules, donkeys on foot can only travel 45 km per day, or 6 km per hour. Every three hours, drinking water should be provided to the animals and every six hours, food. Moreover if the person transporting the animal or person transporting the animals or animals is not their owner, he must carry a certifying letter from the owner.
Sunday Times of India . September 20, 2009 . Times City . Page 9
MUMBAI: An injured horse, which had a fracture in one of its hind legs and a wound on its back, was rescued on Friday night on the Eastern Express Highway, near Vikhroli, by an animal activist.
The horse's handler, Iqbal Bashir Shaikh (see pic), was visibly drunk when intercepted by Sunish Subramanian of Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS)Mumbai.
"I was shocked to discover that the injured animal was forced to trot all the way from Kalyan to Nariman Point, where its owner resides. According to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules of 2001, no animal can be made to walk more than 5 km during its transportation. Also, for long distance journeys, the animal must be accompanied by a vet,'' said Subramanian, adding that both these conditions were violated in this case.
However, he feels that the police must be more sensitive towards such cases so that such incidents are not repeated. "The police official on duty was booking the horse handler under the Bombay Police Act, and not the stricter Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. PAWS will meet the police commissioner D Sivanandan to sensitise the police to the cases of animal cruelty,'' he added.
The very thought still gives 23-year-old Rupesh Pawar a light shudder.
On Sunday evening, the Byculla resident was watching television at his one-room home at Patanwalla Road when he saw a snake slithering on the floor of his house.
He realised that the baby serpent was the highly poisonous Russell’s Viper.
“It’s not a new thing for me. I used to catch snakes in this area during monsoon,” said Pawar. “I will hand it over to the authorities.”
Pawar said people had seen snakes crawling out of the zoo as the authorities dump garbage behind the slums.
Social worker Mahendra Gawde threatened that locals would protest if the zoo authorities did not take steps to ensure that wild animals stay within the zoo premises.
“We will launch a search operation in the area,” said Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zoo) Chandrashekhar Rokde.
Rokde, however, was unable to identify the serpent. “This python is not poisonous,” he said, refering to the Russell’s Viper.
Sunish Subramanian of the Plant and Animal Welfare Society - Mumbai identified the serpent as a Russell’s Viper. “It is highly poisonous,” he said.
Snakes are usually spotted around in Borivli and Goregaon in the western subrubs and Malabar Hill in south Mumbai.
During monsoon, professional snake-catchers claimed to have rescued between 400 and 450 snakes.
After the recent rains in the city, snakes are being founding increasing numbers in housing complexes. During the last three days, a PAWS-Mumbai team rescued seven snakes from residential areas of Mulund, Bhandup, Kanjur Marg, and the BARC Colony. Interestingly, most of the rescued snakes were non-venomous, like rat snakes, common wolf snakes, cat snakes and sand boas. According to wildlife experts, the city has witnessed major habitat destruction, which has resulted in animals like snakes and even at times, leopards, entering residential area located on the city’s outskirts. This monsoon, the PAWS team alone has rescued more than a hundred snakes from various housing localities in the suburbs.
According to Sunish Subramanian, founder of PAWS-Mumbai, “Since the last few years there has been an increase in the number of snake sightings in residential areas, especially in and around newly-constructed buildings.”
Subramanian however, said one reason why snakes are sighted in monsoons so frequently is that they breed some time just before the monsoon.“Their burrows or other dwelling places often get flooded forcing them to come out in the open. That is why so many baby snakes are also seen around this time.”
Narayan Rajpal, a Mulund resident, said “Our neighborhood has a lot of construction activity going on and we keep sighting snakes every other day, especially during the heavy rains.”
So as to avoid a shock:
Remove all piles of debris or garbage and trim unkempt bushes, as these are the most likely hiding places for snakes.
Fix nets on windows all over the house including the washrooms, and always keep the doors closed.
Keep pet birds away from windows and trim tree branches that touch or come to close to the windows.
Powai - 13 September 09 : An aged horse had been abandoned by its owner had been straying on the Eastern Express Highway, just got narrowly missed being hit by a vehicle. A Samaritan informed PAWS about this, but the rescue team could not locate the animal in the area reported.
It was two days later again that PAWS got a call that an injured horse is roaming on the Lake Road in Bhandup. Sunish Subramanian of PAWS-Mumbai said, “We rushed to the spot and got the horse this time. We rescued it and evacuated the injured horse to the Animal Hospital in Parel.”
The horse had little blindness in one eye, and had injuries on the leg and back. The animal had gone meek and helpless of age.
In case you want to help an animal in distress call Plant & Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) Mumbai, Helpline number 9833480388
Powai - 06 September 09 : The musical fountain as part of the beautification of Powai Lake by BMC is not being taken well by environmentalists. They think that the corporation is turning a blind eye to their view point.
Nisha Subramanian of Plant & Animals Welfare Society Mumbai(PAWS-Mumbai)says, “ As we came to know about the Powai Lake Beautification Project in which they have proposed to three musical fountains in Powai Lake, we have taken objection on it and sent letters to all BMC authorities including Local MLA Naseem Khan too.”
In the letter they had written, “The construction of the musical fountain would endanger the existence of the marine life (fishes, turtle, crocodiles and other living beings) of the lake and also thwart the arrival of rare migratory birds in the lake. Already the up-gradation which is in progress is done by reclaiming land from the lake by dumping debris and soil on the fringes of the lake.
The presence of the water fountains etc in the lake would lead to presence of lots of visitors (and thus presence of more vehicles) in the vicinity of the lake which would in turn adversely affect the hygiene, noise levels, air pollution levels and traffic congestion”. In this regard Vivek Pandit, a local resident and activist said, “ BMC is wasting money in the name of beautification of Powai Lake it's just to increase the market value of the property of few builders in the area. First thing BMC should do is to stop all the drainage that is coming from the residential complex into Powai Lake and as we have natural lake then why is BMC converting it into man made lake in the name of beautification. There are many development work which are very important to common public instead of which they are wasting public money in such useless work.”
Talking to this newspaper Naturalist Sunjoy Monga, said “I just want to say that anything that robs away the character of the lake should be avoided..... A musical fountain and accessories are not the most important things to save a lake...”
Bird Expert Adesh Shivkar said, “Mumbai has already witnessed massive destruction of its green cover and we are seeing the harsh consequence.... Instead of saving the remaining patches of biodiversity, we are further disturbing and degrading them. Powai is not just a lake, it is an excellent example of a rich biodiversity habitat that harbours several species of birds, fish, plant etc.... any change or disturbance to this will destroy this fragile and sensitive habitat irreversibly.... I think we have abused the nature enough.... Now let us leave the nature as it is. More than 100 Species of birds are found in Powai lake area..... Some are migratory which are sensitive to disturbance.... A musical fountain will certainly repel them from that place.... it is sad that the authorities give a deaf ear and continue to alter and abuse the landscape”.
Sanal Nair, a Powai resident and who recently took part in Mumbai Bird Race and was the part of team visited birds watching in Powai Lake area said, "People visit parks, ponds to enjoy the tranquility of the place. Setting up a musical fountain at the Powai Lake will defeat the very purpose. Also this lake is a haven for bird watchers which will also be affected. I hope better sense prevails and the lake is left untouched".
Mumbai . Wednesday, September 2, 2009 . Front Page
‘Game show’ inside Bhiwandi Ganesh pandal
Bhiwandi has the dubious distinction of having a Ganesh pandal inside which animals were confined and treated cruelly. Two cobras were being constantly prodded or smacked with a stick to make them aggressively open their hoods to devotees. Two pigeons with their feet tied were also kept inside the pandal for added effect.
Interestingly, the pandal, Swargiya late Nan Mitra Mandal, belongs to Shiv Sena leader Sainath Pawar.
A snake charmer wearing saffron robes was seated inside torturing the cobras, hitting them on the head to prevent them from curling up in the small basket. This was being done to allow the continuous stream of visitors see the snakes with their hoods open.
The pigeons in the meanwhile, struggled to keep their distance from the cobras.
On being tipped off, the Mumbai based PAWS (Plant & Animals Welfare Society) Mumbai lodged a complaint with the Forest Department and the Thane Police, alleging that a Bhiwandi based Ganesh Mandal was violating the laws pertaining to wild and protected animals laws by illegally keeping two cobras and birds to attract devotees and visitors.
Sunish Subramanian, the PAWS-Mumbai activist who made the complaint said, “On Monday after we got information about the cruel treatment of protected creatures, we went across to Bhiwandi and found devotees inside the pandal taking blessings from a cobra and putting cash offering in a box. The cobra was constantly prodded to say upright. The snake charmer, Dhulanath had brought the cobras from MP. A cobra is protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and comes under Schedule – I animals.”
However, the surprising thing is that when the Forest Department officials raided the pandal, they found no animals or birds present. Obviously, the mandal was tipped off by someone from inside the law enforcement department.
When our reporter asked Sainath Pawar about the cobras and the pigeons, he denied any involvement, saying. “We did not call any snake charmer to display the cobras. The man came here uninvited, and sat in our pandal. When our workers saw him they send him out.”
However, when confronted with the photographic evidence provided by the NGO and asked how come he was aware about the man occupying his pandal with the pigeons and the cobras from two full days, Pawar refused to make any comment.
For more photos & videos on this issue please check www.pawsmumbaiphotographs.blogspot.com
DMumbai, December 27, 2009 . Metro . Page 3
FINAL SOLUTION BMC working on plan to impose total ban on plastic bags
Hitesh Yadav is a four year old child from Bhandup. This little animal lover started getting recognition by society for his love for animals from a very early age. Hitesh has recently received the 'Robin Age Bright Sparks Scholarship for Horse Power' as an award.
