Nashik: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) took action against 200 auto-rickshaw drivers on the first day on Sunday for failing to charge fare as per meter. The squad inspected 200 auto rickshaws. Of them, penal action was taken against 29 auto rickshaw driver, informed regional transport officer Bharat Kalaskar.

City police and RTO have taken note indiscipline of auto rickshaw drivers and excessive charge of fare. Police administration has insisted on that auto rickshaw drivers should charge fare as per meter. Two squads were inspecting rickshaws though Sunday was holiday.

They found that 29 rickshaw drivers were carrying passengers out of the rule. They found that they were not charging fare as per meter and share method. Action was taken against such rickshaw drivers, informed deputy regional transport officer Vinay Ahire.

This action will continue, he made it clear. Meanwhile, RTO has provided its guidance and appeal to rickshaw drivers near Nashik Road bus station.

NASHIK: Four-year-old Max – the dog from Nashik police force bagged the top honour by winning gold, while 2-year old Google from the crime detection squad clinched bronze at the recently held 17th State Police Duty Meet in Pune. Angel, originally from Nashik but currently deployed under Buldhana police won silver.

Max and Google from the city police have performed in more than four events throughout the state, making it the third year for Max to grab a medal. For the first time ever, Google, which competes in the competition, has shown its ingenuity to lift bronze.

Dogs from the breeds of Labrador, Doberman, German Shepherd and Belgian took part in the competition.
German Shepherd dog, Max – an expert in the detection of drugs at railway stations, bus stands, has once again proved himself. He was supported by Police naik Nilesh Baviskar and Vilas Pawar.

Google, from Doberman breed, an expert in tracing criminals in cases of robbery, murder etc, was supported by cops Ganesh Konde and Arun Chavan. While 7-year old German Shepherd ‘Angel’ representing Buldhana police won silver medal.

In the Nashik police force, there are a total of 4 sniffer dogs of which a 4-year old Max works for drugs detection squad. Simba, a Labrador breed is 7-year old and Google and Neeta are 2-year and 3-year olds respectively.

Dog squad Astt PSI Balu More, police naik Nilesh Baviskar, constable Bhaskar Gangurde, Nitin Pagar, police naik Nana Bagul, constable Ganesh Konde, Vilas Pawar, Arun Chavan and Raju Jadhav are taking care of dogs in the Nashik police force.

Two-year old Google was honoured by city police commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil for tracing key accused in Upnagar case and for tracing out suspects in an ATM loot incident at Satpur.

Nashik: The prices of onion are on high at present. Old onion is selling at Rs 120 at per kg in the market. In comparison new onion is being sold at Rs 50 per kg, consumers are preferring to buy it. This high trend will continue for a month minimum, estimated the traders. Though farmers will get money, common people are facing difficulty. Their monthly budget has collapsed.

The old onion is selling at Rs 100 to 120 at a vegetable market, Peth Road, Godaghat and Ravivar Karanja, while the new onion is selling at Rs 50 to 60 and there is a possibility that onion prices would increase more.

On the other hand, there is up and down in vegetable prices. People have to buy spring onion at Rs 70. Fenugreek is being sold at Rs 30 to 40. Potato is being sold at Rs 25 per kg. Tomato prices are likely to be increased.

72 wildlife deaths in west division in last three years

Nashik: The district of Nashik has become an insecure place for wild animals. The encounters of the man and animal are increasing, as the residential areas are penetrating the green covers of the animal. In the last three years, in west forest division of Nashik district 72 wildlife deaths alone have been registered.

The deaths of wild animals have been registered due to various reasons. The deaths due to drowning in well, roadkill and animal hit by running train are topping the list.  The data shows that the things which are developed for us are causing danger wildlife.

The roadkill so far has taken 20 lives in three years. It includes the endangered species like leopard, hyena, wolf and soft-shell turtle too. The highways are becoming deathtrap to these wild animals. The speedy vehicles are proving themselves as death to an animal. It has been observed that people do not bother about animals after hitting them. No such case has come across in which, one who hit the animal has called the forest department for help.

The officials from the forest department have said, “The awareness programmes have been taken regularly. The forest department is doing its best to save the animals. It is the people who are not accepting their existence. We are the one who has invaded their land.

People have to understand this and should accept their co-existence.”
The forest department has recently launched a new initiative and has formed a Rapid Rescue Team for wildlife rescue. A special two days workshop was conducted and special training was given to around 40 forest personnel.

East division has no data
The east forest division of Nashik has no data available on the wildlife deaths. The Deshdoot Times took to follow up for the data for about a period of one month. The officials in the department said that the concerned person who handles the section is on leave. After that, it was said that the keys of the locker where the files are kept are not available. After that, the person who was given a temporary charge was unable to provide the data.

The need for caution boards on highways
“The road kill has come up as the biggest threat for the wildlife. The incidents are increasing in the district every year. The Forest Department and Public Works Department should work together and mark the wildlife prone zones. They have put the boards on highways and district roads as well, but the size of these boards is too small to take the attention  of person driving.”
                                                                                                             – Abhijit Mahale, Animal Rescuer, Nashik

NASHIK:

Stray animals are seen occupying the road heading from Lam Road to Devlali and another route heading from Devlali to Bhagur. Due to this, it is difficult for motorists to drive their vehicles and there is rise in number of accidents. These stray animals occupy Anand Road, Rest Camp Road, Lam Road and Housan Road.

As they are suddenly stand up, vehicle drivers hit them. With the availability of fodder in good quantity in Devlali Range area, these animals go there. The administration should catch the stray animals and take them to a shelter on Gurudwara Road, said citizens.

It is understood that privately owned animals are among these stray animals. As citizens of Devlali are already facing the menace of stray dogs, they are now facing other problem of the menace of stray animals.

As stray animals are standing in front of the shop, consumers are facing inconvenience. There is an adverse effect on business due to this. These animals are also hitting vehicles. As stray animals are roaming freely in the city, there is a danger to lives of motorists as well as citizens.

– Dutta Sujgure