KOCHI: Animal welfare activists have welcomed the suggestions of the parliamentary standing committee on April 21 on Wildlife protection amendment Bill 2021, stating that solely elephants with legitimate possession certificates can be utilized for temple rituals.
“In keeping with the elephant knowledge submitted by the forest division earlier than the Supreme Court docket in 2018, there have been 521 captive elephants within the state. Now, there are 444 elephants, of which solely 19 elephants have correct paperwork of possession and one other 13 are within the custody of the forest division,” mentioned V Okay Venkitachalam, secretary, Heritage animal process pressure (HATF).
The committee had sought deletion of Clause 27 as proposed within the invoice with regard to switch of animals, he mentioned. Clause 27 seeks to amend part 43 which pertains to regulation of switch of animals. It proposed to insert a brand new sub-section (4) which offers that part is not going to apply to switch or transport of a dwell elephant by an individual having a certificates of possession the place prior permission of state authorities has been obtained and on achievement of such circumstances.
Nevertheless, the parliamentary committee has strongly beneficial deletion of Clause 27 as proposed within the invoice. As an alternative, so as to guarantee a future pathway of acquisition of elephants by non secular establishments, the committee recommends the insertion of following provision- Supplied that the central authorities might, if it considers add switch or transport of an current captive elephant for a non secular establishment, could also be carried out with a sound certificates of possession.
“Since Dec 2018, 77 elephants have died, together with 5 in 2022 and 29 final yr. Most of those so-called house owners do not even have 10 cents of land for sheltering the animal,” Venkitachalam mentioned.
Amongst suggestions of elephant welfare, the committee expressed the hope that such extra phrases and circumstances be finalized after consultations with people and establishments which are energetic within the subject of elephant conservation, safety and welfare. These guidelines additionally ought to have clear provisions for remedial motion, if extra phrases and circumstances usually are not fulfilled.
“If one have been to have a look at the well being of the elephants which are being paraded, then one is aware of how a lot care is being given for his or her welfare. There isn’t a logic in making it work for twenty-four hours after which giving it a 3-4 hours break. Take a look at the foot illnesses of most animals. These animals stroll for lengthy hours and eat all types of herbs of their journey. What are we feeding them? It is no marvel that almost all are having abdomen illnesses,” mentioned M N Jayachandran, president, Idukki, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“In keeping with the elephant knowledge submitted by the forest division earlier than the Supreme Court docket in 2018, there have been 521 captive elephants within the state. Now, there are 444 elephants, of which solely 19 elephants have correct paperwork of possession and one other 13 are within the custody of the forest division,” mentioned V Okay Venkitachalam, secretary, Heritage animal process pressure (HATF).
The committee had sought deletion of Clause 27 as proposed within the invoice with regard to switch of animals, he mentioned. Clause 27 seeks to amend part 43 which pertains to regulation of switch of animals. It proposed to insert a brand new sub-section (4) which offers that part is not going to apply to switch or transport of a dwell elephant by an individual having a certificates of possession the place prior permission of state authorities has been obtained and on achievement of such circumstances.
Nevertheless, the parliamentary committee has strongly beneficial deletion of Clause 27 as proposed within the invoice. As an alternative, so as to guarantee a future pathway of acquisition of elephants by non secular establishments, the committee recommends the insertion of following provision- Supplied that the central authorities might, if it considers add switch or transport of an current captive elephant for a non secular establishment, could also be carried out with a sound certificates of possession.
“Since Dec 2018, 77 elephants have died, together with 5 in 2022 and 29 final yr. Most of those so-called house owners do not even have 10 cents of land for sheltering the animal,” Venkitachalam mentioned.
Amongst suggestions of elephant welfare, the committee expressed the hope that such extra phrases and circumstances be finalized after consultations with people and establishments which are energetic within the subject of elephant conservation, safety and welfare. These guidelines additionally ought to have clear provisions for remedial motion, if extra phrases and circumstances usually are not fulfilled.
“If one have been to have a look at the well being of the elephants which are being paraded, then one is aware of how a lot care is being given for his or her welfare. There isn’t a logic in making it work for twenty-four hours after which giving it a 3-4 hours break. Take a look at the foot illnesses of most animals. These animals stroll for lengthy hours and eat all types of herbs of their journey. What are we feeding them? It is no marvel that almost all are having abdomen illnesses,” mentioned M N Jayachandran, president, Idukki, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).