HYDERABAD:
Wildlife veterinarian and PhD scholar HS Prayagh took severe objection of State governments granting permission to
Nawab Shafat Ali Khan for tranquillising the man-eater tigers and said it is violation of India Veterinary Council Act.
The issue raked up following
Maharashtra government granting permission for tranquillising and shooting Man Eater Tigress T1.
Reacting to the claims of Nawab Shafat Ali Khan that he is only authorised tranquillising expert in India HS Prayag on Friday said, "Nawab Shafat Ali Khan is not legally permitted to tranquillise any wild animal as per law. However, he can be one of the persons who can be called for shooting. He is not qualified to tranquillise and legally authorised for any wildlife tranquillising. The Veterinary Council of India had written to Maharashtra government regarding the same. I object the government granting permission and Vets also objected. Another objection is that he isn’t a qualified Vet to train any officials."
Veterinary Council of India member Sandip Ingle in the letter written to Maharashtra principal chief conservator of forests said, "Section 30(b) of the act says only registered veterinary practitioners registered either with Veterinary Council of India or Maharashtra State Veterinary Council is allowed to practice
veterinary medicine. Wild animals especially tigers and leopards need to be administered tranquillisers for various reasons. It is learned that administration of tranquilliser is being done by persons who are not registered, veterinarians. This is a violation of provisions of Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984 and Drugs and Cosmetic Act also."
