An animal protection body has asked the government to stop promoting elephant safaris, asserting that the jumbos being used in the rides need to be retired in a suitable rehabilitation facility.
The World Animal Protection (WAP) has also lauded the recent verdict of Uttarakhand High Court which accorded the status of "legal person or entity" to animals in the state.
Noting that the judgement also directs the state government to ensure that incidents of animal cruelty are being checked, WAP has urge the central government to ensure these guidelines are enforced nationwide and not just in Uttarakhand.
In a unique ruling, the Uttarakhand High Court recently accorded the status of "legal person or entity" to animals in the state, saying "they have a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person."
"The judgement also directs the state government to ensure that incidents of animal cruelty are being checked, which is a welcome move.
"Further, we would urge the central government to ensure these guidelines are enforced nationwide and not just in Uttarakhand," Gajender K Sharma, India Country Director, World Animal Protection said.
A division bench of justices Rajiv Sharma and Lokpal Singh bestowed the unique status on animal kingdom while issuing a series of directions to prevent cruelty against animals.
"...to protect and promote greater welfare of animals including avian and aquatic, animals are required to be conferred with the status of legal entity/ legal person," the bench said.
Elaborating on the demand to stop promoting animal safaris, Sharma said that WAP offers technical help in developing model rehabilitation facilities for the animals.
"We would also like to highlight the cruel nature of all elephant rides and urge the government to stop promoting elephant safaris. The elephants being used in the rides need to be retired in a suitable rehabilitation facility.
"World Animal Protection offers guidance and technical help to develop such model rehabilitation facility," Sharma added.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
