We have urged the Govt. Of NCT to directly plan and help the animals of Delhi. With the closing of markets, shops and most neighbourhoods being barricaded by the police due to COVID, animals are dying of hunger, thirst and disease.
My friend Mr. Prakhar Dixit who is a supreme court lawyer helped in writing the appeal.
To,
Shri Arvind Kejriwal
Hon’ble Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi
Dear Sir
Subject: State help for non-human sentient beings
Hope this email finds you well. We are a few animal lovers of Delhi. Who have been raising questions regarding the animals and environment of Delhi under previous governments of NCT of Delhi. As animal lovers and citizens of Delhi, we thought it wise to rake up the issue at hand with your good self.
As you are already aware that lockdown, due to coronavirus, has affected the poor of the poorest in Delhi and elsewhere in the country. Poor we are sure as your constituents also include the animals.
There is a credible amount of information available online regarding the sufferings of animals from hunger and thirst due to the closure of all markets, shops and colonies which used to take care of these community animals.
During other exigencies, your good office has promptly released ex gratia grants of crores for the poor and needy humans and we appreciate you for this. However, despite other state governments being prompt in releasing grants for feeding the community animals, Sir with great dismay we need to say your Government has not been apprised of the suffering of these poor voiceless creatures and hence no clear plan of action exists for the poor animals.
There is indubitable proof that the normal citizens of Delhi themselves have taken it upon themselves to feed the animals to whatever extent possible braving financial difficulties, police harassment, COVID fear amongst other issues but the lack of state machinery’s help or will to do its part is highly disheartening.
It is now enshrined in Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution that it shall be the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests and Wildlife.
The Directive Principles of State policy – Article 48 A, mandate that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
Your government is thus duty-bound to protect the community animals of Delhi under such harsh circumstances.
We await your speedy reply and hope that a plan of action is put in place at the earliest.
Best Regards
