Sunday, May 03, 2009 Irla aquarium, built with funds from former MLA Vinayak Raut, pulled up for allegedly keeping wild birds and animals without relevant permissions
The Dolphin Aquarium at Irla near Vile Parle, built with money from former MLA Vinayak Raut’s area development fund scheme, is once again under the scanner of the forest conservator. Wild birds, squirrels, jungle cats and even turtles have been kept there, allegedly without securing relevant permissions from authorities.The premises was raided once before by the forest department - soon after its inauguration in 2005 - following a complaint from animal activists. Then, a hill myna and some caged parakeets, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, were confiscated by the officials.
This time around, the Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has lodged a complaint with the Forest Department, asking them to take action against the aquarium’s management yet again - and confiscate wild birds such as parakeets, a hill myna and a cuckoo kept on its premises.
About Pics : The Dolphin Aquarium at Vile Parle
“The place had kept a low profile after the raid in 2005,” said Sunish Subramaniam, secretary of PAWS. “Recently, a local resident wrote a letter informing us about wild birds such as parakeets and cuckoos being kept there. We therefore decided to lodge a complaint. The only place that has permissions from the Central Zoo Authority, or holds the licence to keep such species on display in the city, is the Veermata Jijabai Udyan at Byculla.”When contacted, Raut said, “This place was earlier treated as a dumping ground. We beautified it. And yes, we have kept the birds again, but this time, we have applied for the necessary permissions. The application is still under process.”
The dome-shaped aquarium - situated in the middle of a lake at Irla - is a spot frequented by locals, who come to the place to relax or for boating. The premises also boasts of a few local varieties of fish and a jogging track. The birds were kept caged around the jogging track that winds around the lake.
Satish Phale, assistant conservator of forests, confirmed that PAWS had filed a complaint, and said that the matter would be looked into immediately after his staff was relieved of election duties.
