Guwahati: The Elephant of Assam won’t be adequately shielded from wild capture and captivity any longer. Due to the Lok Sabha’s approval of the Bill in this form, commercial trading and exploitation of elephants, a Schedule I mammal that should be protected to the highest degree, will now be allowed despite widespread condemnation.
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, which aims to safeguard the nation’s ecological and environmental security has been approved by Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The bill aims for environmental protection and development to coexist rather than be at odds with one another. Following the House’s rejection of many changes proposed by members of the Opposition, the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December of last year, was approved by voice vote.
Any individual with a valid ownership certificate may sell an elephant to a person or institution for a religious or other purpose under Clause 27 of the Bill.
This implies that the Assamese elephant would be sold to any region of the nation and temple, which was previously impossible for the deed.
The phrase “any other purpose” in Clause 27 of the modified statute appears to have an unlimited connotation, which organisations like PETA believe may increase demand for the ill-gotten capture of these animals in the wild.