VICTORY: Ban of Entry of Elephants into the City of Mumbai

After reviewing a graphic report submitted by PETA India regarding the cruelty endured by elephants in cities, the Government of Maharashtra has announced that elephants will no longer be allowed in Mumbai. The ban came on the heels of a report – which PETA India presented to Mr. K. L. Prasad, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) and Mr. Shree Bhagwan- Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane Circle – pointing out many of the problems associated with allowing elephants on roads and outside temples in the city, including cruelty to elephants, the threat to human life and property, and the possible transmission of tuberculosis and anthrax to humans. PETA India also pointed out the violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; the Performing Animals (Registration) Rule, 2001; the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959; and the Bombay Police Act with regard to the importation and use of elephants in Mumbai. The order passed by Mr. Shree Bhagwan, Chief Conservator of Forests- Thane (MS) gives a boost to the campaign started by PETA India to ban the entry of elephants in cities. The ban comes after an 18 month long campaign through which Actor Rahul Khanna and Celina Jaitley posed in advertisements, letters written by MP Shatrughan Sinha and MP Maneka Gandhi; and a petition signed by Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, John Abraham, MP Priya Dutt, Sanjay Dutt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Isha Koppikar, Mahesh Bhatt, Yana Gupta and Gulshan Grover amongst others asking the Chief Minister to ban the entry of elephants into the city. All elephants in the city of Mumbai are without a valid ownership certificate and will be asked to leave the city says Mr. Shree Bhagwan – Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane (MS). The order is progressive, and sets the gold standard for other governments to emulate, says PETA India’s Chief Functionary, Anuradha Sawhney. We commend the government for their foresight, initiative, and kindness.To read more about our campaign, please check out www.petaindia.org. You too can get involved, please log on to www.petaindia.com/about-peta/what-is-peta-youth and join our Street Team.