On the occasion of World Environment Day observed across the globe on Sunday, Hyderabad witnessed what the world swore to not tolerate: wildlife cruelty.
Animal activists rescued 87 camels that were allegedly being transported for slaughter in the city. Rescuers claim that the animals were smuggled out of Rajasthan, where it is regarded and revered as the State animal, and made to walk all the way to Hyderabad. After being tipped off about the impending fate of animals, rescuers, with assistance from the police, took control of the camels.
“The camels, including 10 calves, were made to walk from Rajasthan to Bantawaram located in Ranga Reddy district by handlers, who were from Madhya Pradesh. Around 20 of them were injured.
They were caught by the police and arrested,” said Dattatreya Joshi of People for Animals, the not-for-profit organisation that carried out the rescue. Mr. Joshi informed that those apprehended were owners as well as hawkers who purchased camels for a low price to sell them later for at least Rs. 20,000 more in the city.
Camel meat is relished in many parts of the city and sold in the Old City, Mehdipatnam and Musheerabad, often openly in brazen contempt of the law. Animal activists said that demand for camel meat goes up during Ramzan and peaks during Bakrid. According to the locals where camel meat is usually sold, a kilo can cost around Rs. 280. In the past, GHMC raided meat shops and registered cases against owners for selling camel meat but the practice continues unabated, claim animal rights activists. The PFA rescued over 60 camels in 2015.
Slaughter not permitted
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is mandated against slaughter of animals which are not ovine, bovine, poultry and fish, while the Animal Welfare Board of India held that camel slaughter was not permitted.
Legal help
“Consumption and sale of camel meat as well as camel slaughter is banned throughout India as it is not an animal notified for this purpose,” said B. Rachna Reddy, an advocate who provided legal help to the PFA last year in transporting camels back to Rajasthan.
In Saturday’s case, the camel handlers arrested were detained under section 429 of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“Consumption and sale of camel meat as well as camel slaughter is banned throughout India.- B. Rachna Reddy,Legal Counsel for PFA
Rescuers claim that they were smuggled out of Rajasthan where it is revered as State animal
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