Thane Forest Department proposes rescue centre in Mumbai

The recent incident of kites being dumped at Sanjay Gandhi National Park has prompted the Thane Forest Department to plan a rescue centre for birds and animals in Mumbai

Mumbai’s animal lovers finally have some good news; the city will soon have its own rescue centre, to counter the limited space of the forest department and Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA).

The Territorial Range of Thane Forest Department (TFD) have proposed two areas, Aarey Milk Colony or Ganeshpuri Mandvi forest area, to create a dedicated rescue centre in the coming days.

To their rescue: Thane Forest Department has decided to go ahead with a rescue centre to avoid incidents similar to the recent dumping of birds at SGNP, because of lack of space. File Pic

After the shocking incident of 95 kites being dumped at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), the TFD has decided to go ahead with a rescue centre to avoid similar incidents because of lack of space for birds and animals.

The proposed centre will be created on a plot of five hectares and will include cages for birds, similar to those in Byculla Zoo, and snakes like in Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park (Katraj), an artificial pond, facilities for a veterinary officer, treatment centre and dedicated vehicles for the rescue team.

Speaking on the proposal, Shakuntala Majumdar, animal lover and convener of the Committee to Monitor Welfare of Birds and Pets, appointed by Bombay High Court, said, “Thane Forest Department has taken cognisance of the issue and are taking a positive step by planning a rescue centre.” However, an official, requesting anonymity, said that everything was only on papers: “Kopri in Thane is also being considered as an option; they are discussing various alternatives right now.”

Officialspeak
KP Singh, chief conservator of forest of TFD said, “The proposal is at its initial stage right now. We are seeking permission from Central Zoo Authority and will move forward accordingly.”

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