(IN): NDTV Illegal sale of animals thrive in Mumbai

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*Illegal sale of animals thrives in Mumbai*

 

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*Illegal sale of animals thrives in Mumbai*

 

NDTV Correspondent

Friday, January 18, 2008 (Mumbai)

Illegal trade of animals protected under various national and international

laws is thriving in Mumbai's Crawford Market.

 

Interestingly, the shops which sell these animals have been issued licenses

under the Bombay Shops and Licenses Act by the city civic authority.

 

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is aware of what's being sold

and says it can do nothing about it. They insist they only sell the license

to run shops and permission to sell animals and birds is issued by the

Wildlife Department.

 

''If someone wants to open a shop we give them the license for that. We have

no control over what is sold in the shop. Punishment is up to the courts,''

said K Pavra, In-Charge, Market Licences, Crawford Market.

 

It's this pass the buck attitude that has wildlife campaigners like actor

John Abraham baffled.

 

John, the face of the PETA campaign against animal trafficking, recently

wrote to the state minister for forests, asking that Crawford Market's

illegal ways be put to an end.

 

He's yet to receive a response to his letter. But if previous instances are

anything to go by, little will happen.

 

Ten years ago, the Bombay High Court set up a committee to suggest ways to

bring the illegal trade at Crawford Market and in all of Mumbai to a halt.

Even that the committee, by its own admission, was a toothless panel.

 

A lack of interest on behalf of government agencies is allowing the trade of

animals protected under various national and international laws. And if all

this wasn't enough, the government is losing more than just endangered

animals.

 

It's losing money. The legally importing pedigree dogs and other exotic

animals are required to pay customs duty, which the traders simply do not

pay.

 

It is evident from the letter written to PETA by the Ministry of Environment

and Forests.

 

The ministry says in the past two years it has not cleared the import of any

protected species. But one visit to a market, like Crawford Market, could

show the ministry officials just how openly that claim is blatant lie.

 

So, till the state and central governments decide to honour their own laws,

the pawning off of our wildlife seems set to continue.

 

--

United against elephant polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com