New Delhi: In many parts of India, elephants are being burdened with heavy loads. Not only with loads of luggage but also with human beings. Tourists visit India and enjoy elephant rides. But do we even acknowledge that this is slavery that it is done to elephants by us?
Elephants are made to walk on hot pavements. According to a report, India is ranked second in the list of highest number of elephants used in tourism. Reports also showcase that 45 per cent of the animals are kept in severely inadequate conditions. Indian animals are not only cultural icons but also help in continuing the natural integrity of their forest and grassland habitats.
On February 25th, the Madras High Court opined to consider prohibition of future ownership of elephants by individuals or temples. The International Animal Welfare Organisation, World Animal Protection, who took this initiative to safeguard elephants, appreciated this uniform policy.
Also, recently, a decision was made by the forest department of Rajasthan, that following veterinary inspections of the Amer fort elephants in Jaipur in July 2020, that on medical and moral grounds, the sickest and unfit animals should no longer be used for entertainment purposes.
"World Animal Protection welcomes this decision and encourages the Rajasthan government to stand by this decision and not allow the sick elephants to be used for rides. Given that the Madras High Court directive indicates that the use of elephants for joyrides, for exploitation, use as beasts of burden must completely be prohibited by a uniform policy, we must do everything in our capacity to ensure that the National Heritage Animal of India is treated well and respected everywhere in all situations. Elephants are wild animals and not commodities. Wildlife belongs in the wild,” said Gajender K Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection office.
According to the judiciary, “Any kind of mistreatment of elephants and other animals must be dealt with promptly and as mercilessly as such persons deal with the animals.” The judiciary discarded all the ownership of elephants by individuals and temples. Elephants will no longer be a slave but an animal who can live their wildlife.
Seeing the state of elephants in the country, India's first and only Elephant Conservation and Care Centre was established in 2010. The mission of the organisation was to rehabilitate severely abused and exploited captive elephants. The centre is surrounded by natural vegetation with open fields. It is more like a green natural house for the rescued animals.
