Raigad: Alibaug horses driven into the sea for joyride

NAVI MUMBAI: Animal rights groups have written to the state authorities calling for an end to the cruel practice of horses being taken dangerously deep into the sea to transport tourists to the fort close to the Alibaug coast in Raigad district.
“We have got feedback from people about horse-driven carts plying quite deep into the sea to get people to the fort.Firstly, horses are not supposed to ride so deep into the water. Also, if there is any accident and the horse-cart turns turtle, there is a danger to the life. We have written to the Raigad collectorate to stop this dangerous practice,” said Ambika Hiranandani, legal adviser to the Maharashtra State Animal Welfare Board.
Honorary district animal welfare officer, Mitesh Jain, said the horse handlers at Alibaug should be slapped with cruelty charges. “If the intertidal sea currents suddenly change or become stronger, then the horse carts can get swept away,” he said. A Mumbai resident, Karishma Shastry, who had recently visited the Alibaug beach, told TOI, “The horses were straining when trying to pull the carts in water. A few horses were also limping, which means they are suffering from injuries too.”
TOI contacted the Raigad district collectorate on Thursday, but collector Vijay Suryawanshi was not available for comment. The district head of the disaster management cell, Sagar Pathak, said, “On this issue, you can also enquire with the local municipal body or the state maritime board.”
Meanwhile, a team of activists is planning to visit Alibaug beach soon to check the physical condition of the horses there.