A naukri.com initiative
Medium
1w
21
Catching a Wild Elephant in India: A Daring but Traditional Practice
- Catching a wild elephant is no small feat. It involves a combination of skill, patience, and significant physical labor. The process, known as “kraal training,” has been refined over centuries. The need for capturing wild elephants in India is to protect the public or to prevent harm to the elephant. Over time, the practice of capturing wild elephants has come under heavy scrutiny. Animal rights activists and conservationists argue that capturing and training wild elephants is inhumane. India's elephant population is now under the protection of the Project Elephant scheme, which was launched in 1992 to conserve and protect elephants and their habitats.
- Experienced trackers, often called “mahouts” track the herd through the forest using signs like broken branches, footprints, and dung. Once an elephant or herd is located, a “kraal” is set up in a strategic location where the elephant is likely to pass. Wild elephants are sometimes lured into these traps by using food or water sources, which attract the elephants to the vicinity of the kraal. After the elephant is inside the kraal, trained handlers use ropes and chains to restrain the animal.
- Many elephants that are captured are subjected to cruel training methods that break their spirit, such as the use of sharp tools and the deprivation of food or water. The trauma caused by such practices can leave long-term psychological scars on the elephants. The increasing focus on wildlife conservation in India has shifted the way elephants are viewed. Modern wildlife sanctuaries and national parks offer safe havens for elephants, where they can live freely without the risk of being captured.
- Human-elephant conflict remains a significant issue in India, but solutions today are more focused on mitigating these conflicts through alternative methods, such as using barriers, creating corridors for elephants to pass through safely, and involving local communities in conservation efforts. The Indian government has passed laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which restricts the capture, trade, and exploitation of wild animals, including elephants.
- India’s elephant population is now under the protection of the Project Elephant scheme, which was launched in 1992 to conserve and protect elephants and their habitats. The focus has shifted from capturing elephants for human use to ensuring that they can live and roam freely in the wild, with the support of local communities and wildlife authorities. The modern emphasis on preserving wildlife is a promising step toward ensuring that future generations can enjoy these awe-inspiring creatures in the wild, where they truly belong.
Read Full Article
1 Like
For uninterrupted reading, download the app