Integrated Sloth Bear Conservation and Welfare Project in India

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http://www.dailyindia.com/show/46872.php/Bear_trainers_now_turn_transporters

Bear trainers now turn transporters

 

By Indo Asian News Service

 

Bhopal, July 30 (IANS) A number of bear trainers, whose traditional

profession of making bears dance was declared illegal on pressure from

animal rights groups, have now successfully shifted to new alternative

ventures of livelihood.

 

Bear dancing, in which the muzzled animals are trained to sway and gyrate on

hind legs to popular tunes, was declared illegal in 1998 and made a

punishable offence under Indian laws.

 

After the ban on the street performances of dancing bears in 1998, many of

the families had to abandon their profession and were forced into rag

picking, working as labourers, part-time cart pullers, or in small roadside

ventures.

 

Of them, five bear trainers or 'kalandars', as they are popularly known,

opted for an alternative livelihood scheme in Kotra Sultanabad here and are

now owners of transport and waste-disposal ventures.

 

The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), with support from the World Society for

Protection of Animals, initiated the Integrated Sloth Bear Conservation and

Welfare Project last year.

 

Under this programme, alternative livelihoods are provided to the kalandars

in settlements across the country.

 

Riaz Khan and Rafiq Khan, who jointly own a 'bhatt' (a three-wheeled small

commercial vehicle), ply on the Kotra-New Market route here and earn up to

Rs.500 daily.

 

'I've been in menial jobs for the past two years after the forest department

took away Tinku (the bear) with whom I spent my childhood. More than

anything else, he was close to our family. I still miss him,' said Rafiq.

 

However, Rafiq said his new job has earned him self-respect besides

financial security.

 

'Now my family looks forward to me for meeting their daily needs.'

 

The other kalandars also expressed similar sentiments on their new found

status.

 

Vijay Dhasmana, a WTI official, said there are about 22 kalandar families in

the Kotra Sultanabad settlement and their bears have already been

surrendered to the forest department. The rescued animals are being

rehabilitated at the Van Vihar Zoo here.

 

Kalandars claim they have been in the profession since Mughal rule as their

ancestors were royal entertainers. Once the kingdoms ended, the kalandars

became dependent on streets shows for a living till animal rights groups

stepped in.

 

Copyright Indo-Asian News Service