Shimla: The Animal Welfare Board of India has directed the Himachal Pradesh government to stop its monkey sterilisation programme till a protocol was put in place to ensure humane and ethical treatment to animals.
Following complaints that the provisions of 'Prevention of cruelty to animals and Wildlife Protection Act' are being violated with the "monkeys being caught and treated in an inhumane manner, subjected to pain, suffering, and negligence after surgery", Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has asked the state government to close down the sterilisation centres.
The decision was taken after the board, which operates under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, authorised an inspection of sterilisation centres here to ascertain the health conditions of monkeys, animal rights body PETA said in a statement today.
The inspection team found glaring deficiencies and closing of sterilisation centres was recommended till a proper protocol was followed for humane treatment of primitives, the statement quoting PETA director of veterinary affairs Manilal Valliyate said.
The inspection team consisting of Dr Ram Najar Chowdhary, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Surgery and radiology, Lala Lajpat Rai University, Hisar, Gauri Maulekhi and Dr Manilal Vilaytee, co-opted members of AWBI and Dr Sumathi, Veterinary Surgeon, AWFI visited the centre in Shimla on February 27 and 28 last and submitted a detailed report regarding deficiencies in various operations such as catching, sterilisation, and post operative care.
In a letter addressed to Himachal chief secretary, P Mitra and Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife), Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Dr K S Khanduri, AWBI Assistant Secretary S Vinodkumaar said that the "report pointed out indiscriminate capture of monkeys by non-professional and untrained catchers for paltry sum of Rs?500".
The report said that there was "no authentic documentation, identification and recording of monkeys (sterilised, injured or fatalities), and falsification of sterilisation figures indicating massive misappropriation of funds".
It suggested financial and physical audit by a central agency.
The team in its report said the captured monkeys often suffered injuries, starvation, prolonged captivity and other abuses.
