Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 QUAIL BREEDING RAISES HACKLES Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Ropar, February 6 A row has erupted here, with environmentalists crying hoarse over white quails developed by the Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary Sciences. University scientists are claiming that the white quails developed by them are mutant species and not protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. They are claiming that the quails developed by them can be bred like poultry by farmers to cater to market of quail meat. The university authorities have made the claim, as only the indigenous species of birds and animals are protected under the Act. The university is also selling white quails to farmers interested in breeding them after the Punjab government approved their commercial use. However, the environmentalists are alleging that under the Wildlife Protection Act, the word quail is mentioned as protected species. The Schedule IV of the Act, under which the bush bird species is protected, does not mention the colour of the species. Dr Sandeep Jain, nominee of the Committee for Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) and honorary wildlife warden, said the question is which species the university authorities used to develop the said quails. The university authorities had to take permission from committee on animal experimentation of Chennai to conduct experiments to produce the mutant species. However, sources said that no such permission had been taken. Jain alleged that white quails are likely developed from Japanese quails. Earlier also, the issue of the illegal sale of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) in the name of poultry was reported in many states. However, it came to halt when the matter was reported to the wildlife authorities. The handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan by Dr Salim Ali has mentioned the existence of Japanese quails in nature in India. He has reported their presence in the wild in north-eastern states. S.C.Sharma, then joint director, wildlife, Government of India, has mentioned in his letter (No.3-22/84-WL-I) dated 2.11.1988 to all- forest secretaries and chief wildlife wardens that the species has been covered under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and, therefore, any breeding in captivity or trade in the species is prohibited.So even if the university authorities have developed while quails using Japanese quails, their act is illegal. The quails are a delicacy among the elite families of Punjab. The indiscriminate hunting and reducing habitat has alarmingly reduced its population. All white specimens can breed with careful selective breeding. However, some experts warn that white is regarded as a recessive gene, but in recent years, an incomplete dominant albino gene has also been reported. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080207/punjab1.htm#3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Dear Dr. Jain, Breeding for what purpose - for human consumption, replacing chickens ?. CPCSEA might be taking serious view about it as it was not approved by the CPCSEA, where as I am not in a opinion in breeding of a white Quails, this is illegal & we can not promote it in the interest of our original wild quails, that might be killed / hunted / consumed under cover of white quails, general public do not know the difference. In India there are so many Japanese quails / Ginny fowl farms & people eats original species under cover of these . The experiment of the University against the ethics of wildlife, CWLW Punjab should take action against them as in case of fake tiger skins. regards, Naresh Kadyan, IPFA / SPCA, Chairman-PFA HARYANA, +91-9313312099, 9813010595. On 8 Feb 2008 02:49:13 -0000, Sandeep kumar jain <jeevdaya wrote: > > QUAIL BREEDING RAISES HACKLES > Lalit Mohan > Tribune News Service > > Ropar, February 6 > A row has erupted here, with environmentalists crying hoarse over white > quails developed by the Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary Sciences. > > University scientists are claiming that the white quails developed by them > are mutant species and not protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. They > are claiming that the quails developed by them can be bred like poultry by > farmers to cater to market of quail meat. > > The university authorities have made the claim, as only the indigenous > species of birds and animals are protected under the Act. The university is > also selling white quails to farmers interested in breeding them after the > Punjab government approved their commercial use. > > However, the environmentalists are alleging that under the Wildlife > Protection Act, the word quail is mentioned as protected species. The > Schedule IV of the Act, under which the bush bird species is protected, does > not mention the colour of the species. > > Dr Sandeep Jain, nominee of the Committee for Purpose of Control and > Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) and honorary wildlife warden, > said the question is which species the university authorities used to > develop the said quails. The university authorities had to take permission > from committee on animal experimentation of Chennai to conduct experiments > to produce the mutant species. > > However, sources said that no such permission had been taken. Jain alleged > that white quails are likely developed from Japanese quails. > > Earlier also, the issue of the illegal sale of Japanese quails (Coturnix > japonica) in the name of poultry was reported in many states. However, it > came to halt when the matter was reported to the wildlife authorities. > > The handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan by Dr Salim Ali has mentioned > the existence of Japanese quails in nature in India. He has reported their > presence in the wild in north-eastern states. > > S.C.Sharma, then joint director, wildlife, Government of India, has > mentioned in his letter (No.3-22/84-WL-I) dated 2.11.1988 to all- forest > secretaries and chief wildlife wardens that the species has been covered > under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and, therefore, any > breeding in captivity or trade in the species is prohibited.So even if the > university authorities have developed while quails using Japanese quails, > their act is illegal. > > The quails are a delicacy among the elite families of Punjab. The > indiscriminate hunting and reducing habitat has alarmingly reduced its > population. > > All white specimens can breed with careful selective breeding. However, > some experts warn that white is regarded as a recessive gene, but in recent > years, an incomplete dominant albino gene has also been reported. > > http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080207/punjab1.htm#3 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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