This is an army working voluntarily for animals round the clock in Hyderabad. For Nihar Parulekar, a visit to the Hyderabad Zoo in 2010 proved to be a life-changing experience. Appalled at the sight of visitors flinging bits of food and plastic bottles inside animal enclosures and by the garbage and plastic waste left behind by crowds, Parulekar, then an engineering student, resolved to change it all.
Parulekar realised the best way to reconnect man to nature was through awareness. With a group of like-minded friends from his college, he founded the Animal Rehabilitation and Protection Front (ARPF) in January 2011. “I felt that this problem could best be addressed from a local perspective, with a group of people who could work sensitively and productively with local communities,” says Parulekar.
The students also met the zoo superintendent and on his suggestion formed the Hyderabad Zoo Corps, which started as a group of 20 volunteers, who policed the zoo on Sundays to check acts of vandalism and educate visitors on treating animals the right way. Today, the ARPF has nearly 3,000 volunteer members across the country.
The organisation also conducts animal awareness shows on wildlife conservation. “The intention is to dispel myths. Most snakes, for instance, are harmless and help keep the rodent population in check. But the common perception is that all snakes are poisonous and due to this those that stray into human habitation are killed,” he says. ARPF has several squads for different operations such as rescue and first aid, education, plantation drives and even an anti-poaching squad.
At present ARPF has offices in five cities—Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Indore and Pune. Parulekar hopes to start a sixth chapter in Bangalore or Nagpur soon.
Majority of animals that ARPF’s First Aid and Rescue Squad saves, says Parulekar, have been injured due to human activities. The squad works round-the-clock and is trained to handle injured animals. The first-aid team provides proper treatment to the animal and then transports it to a hospital. But their task does not end there. Once the creature recovers, it is released into the wild or put up for adoption if it is a stray.
“All animals require different treatment and care, which is what makes our job so interesting and challenging,” says 23-year-old Parulekar, who also works with an online marketing company.
As rapid urbanisation eats into forest lands, we owe it to nature to look after its wildlife, says Parulekar. “Animals are injured by speeding cars on the highways, which is due to cutting of forests for construction of highways, residential areas, commercial structures. Animals are then forced to turn to human habitats to look for food,” points out Parulekar.
Funds pose a challenge, too. “As a student-run NGO, we do lack resources. We all pool in and foot the cost of basic resources such as rescue kits and safety gears. A lot of vets and veterinary hospitals help us by providing free treatment and consultation for the animals and birds we rescue. The forest department has always been helpful with rehabilitation permissions and treatment facility at the zoo,” he says.
While everyone can and should do their bit to help protect wildlife, proper training and permission from the forest department is essential to become a wildlife rehabilitator, says Parulekar. But that doesn’t mean small actions don’t count. The next time you spot a snake in your garden, don’t panic. The reptile might be just as scared as you are. Buzz ARPF at 9912034135 and wait for their rescue squad to arrive.
The snake will be taken away and released back into the wilderness.
Zoo Corps
Zoo Corps works with different zoological parks in the country, where members deal with zoo policing and stage animal awareness shows on conservation and wildlife to visitors.
Green Warriors
This team of nature lovers spreads awareness about eco-friendly practices and conducts plantation and green campaign drives.
First Aid & Rescue Squad
ARPF runs a 24x7 rescue service for strays, domestics, as well as wild animals. The first aid team ensures proper treatment is provided to the animal and ensures its safety before transport to a hospital. These animals are later adopted or released into a safe habitat away from people.
Project WILD & Anti Poaching Squad
The anti-poachingsquad operates round-the-clock on rescue and special task force operations in collaboration with the Anti-Poaching Cell and Forest Department.
