(IN): Call to Volunteer for Indian Prison (Zoo) Investigations

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

 

As you all perhaps know that the miseries of the captive wild inmates

held imprisoned in Indian prisons (zoos as popularly known) only gets

worse with every passing day.

 

There are rules and laws framed to check mis management.

 

In the past many agencies from Zoo Check to PETA-India to a lot of

other AWOs and individuals have done comprehensive expose on the

status of Zoos of India. A lot was exposed, many orders followed from

closure of certain zoos to, court orders to heated television debates

to stories being published in the media and all sorts of drama.

 

But look back and things seem to be the same, in fact worse than what

they were few years back.

 

The last India Zoo investigations was in the year 2005 (correct me if

I am wrong) carried out by PETA-India. After than I do not think any

organisation has carried out a nationwide zoo investigation.

 

Any visit to a zoo in India and you only come out depressed and frustrated.

 

Have we been able to actually help the inmates?

 

NO !!!

 

I am not taking away the credit of the many good things achieved in

the past with regards to zoo investigations and expose, but that is

just not enough.

 

Therefore in order to see that the changes/ modifications/ orders

which result out of a Zoo expose are practiced. We must ensure that

the consistency is there.

We must ensure that this is a 24x7 job.

 

I call on each one of AAPN members and others to volunteer from your

own pocket money and do the following:

 

1. Get a hi-resolution Digital camera (most of us already possess one).

2. Get a handycam (you can hire one for as less as Rs.500/- locally for a day).

3. Go through the Zoo Check Canda & PETA-India zoo reports and the orders.

4. Understand and read properly the CZA rules & policy.

 

Once you are ready, go to all the zoos that exist in your locality.

 

And do an inspection of the same (more details on how to go about it

can be discussed).

 

Once ready, we must wait for a deadline so that all the reports from

the country are collected.

 

Then the same can be tabled to the Forest Minister, Mr. Jairam Ramesh.

With copies to the CZA, the AWBI and to any NGO which can help take

this evidence collected to court on behalf of the inmates.

 

This is an extremely cost effective way of conducting a herculian task

which can be repeated every year.

 

This way, the consistency is there. There is a feeling of everyone

being a part of something good. And I think to keep the erring Zoos on

their toes this could be just another step.

 

More ideas, please shoot.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Azam Siddiqui

 

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