After tigress Avni’s death, Maharashtra to stop hiring hunters to kill ‘problematic’ animals | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

After tigress Avni’s death, Maharashtra to stop hiring hunters to kill ‘problematic’ animals

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Jan 12, 2019 12:42 AM IST

A resolution to this effect was passed by the state animal welfare board, chaired by BJP MP Poonam Mahajan, during its meeting last month

Two months after tigress T1, better known as Avni, was put down by hired hunters on suspicions of having turned into a man-eater, the state animal welfare board has decided contract killing of ‘problematic’ animals will no longer be given to recreational or trophy hunters.

One of India's most high-profile tiger hunts in decades ended November 2, 2018, when the mother of two 10-month old cubs — known to hunters as T1 but Avni to wildlife lovers — was shot dead in the jungles of Maharashtra, after being suspected of becoming a man-eater.(AFP)
One of India's most high-profile tiger hunts in decades ended November 2, 2018, when the mother of two 10-month old cubs — known to hunters as T1 but Avni to wildlife lovers — was shot dead in the jungles of Maharashtra, after being suspected of becoming a man-eater.(AFP)

A resolution to this effect was passed by the board of 20 members, chaired by BJP MP Poonam Mahajan, during its meeting last month after advocate and member Ambika Hiranandani raised the issue. The information was made public on January 10.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Maharashtra’s animal welfare board cannot keep silent in the wake of something so serious,” said Hiranandani. “It was unanimously decided that the state needs to ensure such cases are not repeated. More veterinary officers need to be trained to tranquilise and rescue schedule 1 species. No contract killer is to be hired in future instances of human-animal conflict cases.”

While the board may have passed its order, section 11 (a) chapter 3 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 permits the chief wildlife warden (CWLW) of any state to allow any person to hunt animals dangerous to human life (see box).

Animal welfare groups said the board had taken a good decision but it was not binding on the CWLW. “The CWLW is empowered by a weak and archaic law to be the sole person who can call anyone to eliminate wildlife seen as a threat to humans,” said Sarita Subramaniam from Earth Brigade Foundation who has petitioned against the killing of T-1 at the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court.

AK Misra, CWLW and principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), Maharashtra, who issued shooting orders against T-1, said, “We will treat the decision taken by the animal welfare board as an advisory or recommendation ... for future cases. However, if we do not have resources within the forest department to address man-animal conflict, other options such as the army or skilled state-department officers will be considered.”

T-1 was killed deliberately by Ali even though she was on her natural path, an investigation by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had revealed in December. The state government had said the hunter had shot her in self-defence.

“The tigress was killed in a hurry by an inexperienced hunter. While the state forest department followed all protocols, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Arms Act 1959, and NTCA standard operating procedures were all violated by the hunter” said a senior NTCA officer.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 15, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On