Elephants becomes the Heritage animal of the country
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan
Government of India had declared elephant as the Heritage animal. This decision was taken based on the report submitted by expert committee constituted to study the situation of Elephants in the country. The committee was headed by Prof.Rangarajan. Prominent members include Dr.R.Sukumar, Ajay Desai, Suparna Gangully, etc.The committee studied in detail about the situation of wild and domesticated elephants in the country.Human elephant conflict is a very important issue among wild and captive elephants in the country. Destruction of corridors, frequent train accidents, poaching, destruction of habitats, climatic variations, diseases and frequent outbreaks affect elephants which is in the schedule one list of endangered animals.In long run trade of elephants by private parties will be curtailed with this decesion. Owneship of elephants will be with the Government. Government will assure all welfare mesures needed for conserving this largest living mammal on the earth. Purchase of elephants, trade, using elephants for different purposes etc will come to an end in the near future. But using of elephants for religious and ceremonious purposes are allowed to continue till complete protocoals are framed.
As far as India is concerned, total population of Asian elephants are nearly 30000.There are 3500 domesticated elephants are there in the country. Kerala a tiny state which occupies 1.13 percent geographic area of the country has 700 domesticated elephants. They are widely used for festivals, processions and other public functions.Compared to any other state in the country elephant welfare measures are excellent in the state. Animal welfare organisations and media are very vigilant in assessing the welfare status of elephants in the state. Department of forests, Animal Husbandry and Dewaswom boards are very active in providing scientific feeding, management and disease control measures to elephants.
Eventhough Animal welfare activists, elephant lovers and conservationists welcomed the decision of declaring elephant as the heritage animal, festival authorities are making protest against this decision. They argue that it will be difficult to organise temple festivals without the use of elephants. Moreover they allege that envisaged welfare measures of the forest depatment will not be sufficient to conserve this largest living mammal.
But the decision in long run will be elephant friendly and will save the animal which is on the verge of extinction. Compared to African elephants, Asian elephant population and male female ratio is getting reduced day by day. But it is the duty of the policy makers and authorities to implement the decision without affectinf the welfare of the elephants.