PETA India has proposed certain animal-friendly recommendations to a parliamentary standing committee for the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021. We have also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav to remove provisions from the bill that would allow the cruel commercial trade of captive elephants – a practice universally condemned – and declare certain wild animals “vermin”, thereby allowing their killing.
PETA India also commended the central government for including a new chapter regarding the protection of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix species in the bill. We welcomed the proposal to increase the penalties for wildlife-related crimes from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 and from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh wherever it’s stated in the current law but requested a periodic review of the penalties.
The amendment proposing the insertion of Section 43(4) would encourage the illegal capture and commercial trade of elephants in India, defeating conservation efforts in their natural habitat. The amendment may increase cruelty to elephants in captivity and promote institutionalised corruption, as illegitimate ownership certificates would be necessary to conduct trade. PETA India also recommended amending Section 40 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to remove the exemption given to “live elephants”, thereby prohibiting any private person from acquiring, receiving, or keeping in control, custody, or possession any captive elephants in the country.
PETA India also pointed out that declaring certain wild animals “vermin” in order to kill them is archaic and cruel and violates Articles 14, 21, 51-A(g), and 48A of the Constitution of India. We recommend that the government implement already established humane, scientific, and effective methods for preventing and mitigating human-animal conflicts.
You can help us by requesting officials to ensure better protection for animals than the draft bill currently allows.