Afternoon DC - No more monkey business!
Nilesh Bhanage
No more monkey business!
Monkeys have been cruelly exploited by 'madaris' over the years, who use them to eke out a living for themselves. Monkey-trainers often have the teeth of monkeys pulled out, beat them mercilessly, deprive them of food and keep them in the scorching heat. The inhuman behaviour from shallow humans continues...
The recent death of a penguin at Byculla Zoo, raised a lot of questions
about animal cruelty, attracted media attention and eventually led to a
blame-game being played out. Definitely, attention was required but
there are few other species which are still struggling for a way out of
captivity and knowingly or unknowingly have been neglected. It is very
saddening that, even after the existence of the 'Wildlife Protection
Act' of 1972, which declares that all Indian wildlife is government
property and prohibits the capture and possession of monkeys, there a
number of families running the same old business.
When Afternoon D&C inspected the 'madari' community’s slum located
in Kalwa, it was surprising to notice the odious conditions monkeys had
to live in. We spotted eight monkeys of different sizes and different
age groups at two different slums respectively in Kalwa at around 2 pm.
According to sources, there are more monkeys which live in these slums.
The 'madaris' along with their monkeys leave early in the morning for
tourist spots like Gateway of India, Thane Talav etc. and return back
late evening. Although the exact number of monkeys living in the slums
is still not clear, more than 15 monkeys are suspected to live in the
slums of Kalwa alone.
The monkeys were tied so tight that they could hardly move. Most of
them were tied near the doorstep. The monkeys were forced to feed on
undercooked rice instead of fruits and vegetables which is their natural
diet. Some of the monkeys were made to sit in the scorching heat.
When the owners of these monkeys, were questioned most refused to
speak. When this newspaper asked these owners as to which veterinarians
they consulted, one of them replied, “Whenever we feel our monkey is
unfit, we take it to BSPCA in Parel. They treat our monkeys and then
give it back once it is normal.”
Lt. Col (Dr.) J.C. Khanna, Secretary at 'Bombay Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (BSPCA) says, “ 'Madaris' very rarely
come to us with their monkeys, Whenever the SPCA inspectors find a
'madari' with a monkey, they first ask the madari if he has the required
licence, if not, they seize it. The last time that a 'madari' brought
his monkey for treatment was around five years ago. They rarely come to
us for any treatment.”
“The 'madari' community has been famous for its business since time
unknown. They train monkeys to dance, often through the pain of
beatings and food deprivation. Their teeth are pulled out by the
'madaris' so that the animals cannot defend themselves. Although, the
Government of India has prohibited the use of bears, monkeys, tigers,
panthers and lions for street performances, because of a lack of
enforcement of the law 'madaris' across India brazenly use monkeys to
beg for money. At the same time, there are not enough rescue facilities
where monkeys can be rehabilitated before they are released back into
the wild.”
All for monkey welfare
Kishor D.Thakare (I.F.S), Dy. Conservator of Forests, Thane Forest
Division says, “We don’t have a special squad for seizing monkeys from
the 'madari' community. I don’t think it is a very serious issue.
Whenever we get complaints from people or NGOs, we go and check the
location. We don’t inspect the location from time to time, we only
inspect whenever we get complaints.”
Nilesh Bhanage, Founder of Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS)
says, “Under the 'Wildlife Protection Act', 'Beggary Act' and
'Performing Animals Rules 2001', it’s a punishable crime to make monkeys
dance. Also the training method is very brutal wherein baby monkeys are
taken away from their mother. Often, the monkeys are given shocks and
are left hungry. I am amazed as to how people do not understand the
apathy of poor monkeys when they worship Lord Hanuman and donate money
at temples.”
