Navi Mumbai: Days after five donkeys used for transporting construction materials at Raigad Fort were found dead, assistant commissioner of animal husbandry department Subhash Dalvi inspected the area on Wednesday. The department has written to the contractors and authorities warning them of action for animal cruelty.Activists alleged that contractors use around 150 donkeys instead of the ropeway to transport stone, boulders, and lime among other items to save costs. They claimed that in the last five years, 25-30 donkeys have died without any checks by Raigad Development Authority and Archaeological Survey of India. Recently, the carcasses of five donkeys were found dumped at the Konzhar ghat, around 6km away from the fort.A local activist alleged, “The 7-8 contractors engaged in various works brought the donkeys, but none took proper care of the animals. The cruelty, including overloading, continues without any checks. Visitors to the fort are inconvenienced a lot. Contractors and officials threaten the locals owning roadside stalls. They do not raise their voice fearing loss of livelihood.”A ropeway official said, “Tourists using the step route complain about the stench and unhygienic situation. Neither contractors nor their employers clean the steps. The donkeys make two trips regularly. The contractors do not use the ropeway for transportation of the construction goods.”After the inspection, Dalvi said, “Half the contractors have left. Shelter has been constructed for the 150 donkeys… Snake bite incidents and deaths have been reported. Two decomposed carcasses were spotted in the nearby area. We have started writing to the contractors, their employers, and the authorities.”
