 As a mediaperson
and an activist involved in education beyond the textbook, I believe that sound
environmental practices should be inculcated early in life — and through children,
made a lifestyle among households and the community.
Annam Suresh
KolkataI happened to read your magazine Down
to Earth dated June 15, 2004. It’s really a fantastic magazine. I fully support
this magazine, as I am also very keen in saving our environment and our eco-systems.
I also read in Gobar Times that there is a chance for young boys and girls below
18 years of age to be reporters (honourary capacity). Unfortunately, I am 27 years old,
but I want to be your reporter too. I belong to Assam. Here we have frequent floodings,
heavy rains etc which I want to photograph, make reports and send to your magazine for
publication.
I hope there is at least one room for me in your magazine to be your reporter. If not
as an employee, I will be very satisfied as a volunteer reporter (honourary capacity).
Yours in saving the environment
Gagan Tamang
Via Email
GT replies: We are very sorry, but we do not have
provisions for "volunteer reporters" in our organisation. But you can keep
sending your "reports" to both Gobar Times for this very page and Down
To Earth Letters to the Editor section.
I have started
saving water and also started telling environmental facts to my three-and-a-half-year old
son. Now he knows that if we don't save water, then there may be a problem in 2020.
Vijay Pathak
Mumbai
I am in tenth standard and an article in Gobar Times helped me
in my school project. In future, I would like to read more such articles on GT which
will be useful for my projects! I have also chosen "Environmental science" as an
optional subject in my school.
Sudeshna Pal
Age 14, Secunderabad
 My school Rajmata
Krishna Kumari Girls Public School, has a sort of miniature zoo in the school premises
which house pigeons, ducks, rabbits and small birds. Most of the children really love
gazing at the tiny creatures, but I read that it’s illegal for schools and such
institutions to house caged animals and only government approved zoos have permission to
do so. Could you please tell me if this is so. Then when my vacations are over, I can
persuade our principal to hand over these animals to authorities who will take good care
of them.
Ajooni Singh, Class IX
Jodhpur
GT
replies: We reproduce the following responses from the Central Zoo
Authority and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) :
Dear Ajooni, According
to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, a "Zoo" means an establishment, whether
stationary or mobile, where captive animals are kept for exhibition to the public and
includes a circus and rescue centres but does not include an establishment of a licensed
dealer in captive animals. "Captive animals" specify only those wild
animals that are included in the Schedule (I, II, II, IV & V) of the Act. Domestic
animals like blue rock pigeon and its hybrid, domestic ducks & geese, rabbits, exotic
animal/birds do not fall under the Schedule of the Act.
Therefore their display by your school will not attract provisions of Wild Life
(Protection) Act. However, their display is within the ambit of provisions contained in
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 (59 of 1960). No zoo shall permit
activity that exposes the animal to unnecessary pain stress or provocation. In case the
school authorities are displaying the wild animals/birds without being recognized by the
Central Zoo Authority, operation of such zoos therefore is illegal. It is requested that
if you send the details of the animals/species being kept by your school, we will be able
to help you further.
Brij Kishor Gupta, Scientist
Central Zoo Authority Annexe 6, Bikaner House, New Delhi
Dear Ajooni,
Thank you for raising your voice on behalf of the animals. While I am sure the children
love these animals, you need to make them realise that a small cage is like a prison for
them.
Also not many children are kind to animals, and many might tease or harm them
(sometimes unknowingly), and most of the time they get away with it because the animal
cannot speak.
Urge your principal to contact me and we can work towards finding a sanctuary for these
animals. If that doesn't work, give me the contact details of your principal and I will
write to him/her. Our country needs more people like you. Best of luck!
Anuradha Sawhney
Chief Functionary, PETA India
PO Box 28260, Juhu, Mumbai-49
Ph: 022-26281880, Fax: 022-2628
1883, Email: Info@PETAIndia.org |
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