Supreme Court Questions West Bengal on Elephant Safety Measures
The Supreme Court of India has asked the West Bengal government to respond to a petition regarding the use of harmful methods to manage elephants. The court, led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, issued a notice to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in West Bengal.
The petition claims that West Bengal has not followed previous court orders from August 1 and December 4, 2018, which instructed the state to stop using sharp spikes and fire torches against elephants. Prerna Singh Bindra, representing the petitioner, highlighted incidents where these methods were still being used, including a tragic event on August 15. In this incident, a pregnant elephant was chased and attacked by locals using iron rods, spikes, and fire torches, leading to her death.
The plea emphasizes the need for humane solutions to human-elephant conflicts, not only in West Bengal but also in other states like Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and justice in the country.
West Bengal -: West Bengal is a state in eastern India. It is known for its rich culture and history.
Elephant Safety Measures -: These are actions taken to protect elephants from harm. It includes making sure they are not hurt by people or dangerous tools.
Petition -: A petition is a formal request made to a court or government. People use it to ask for changes or to stop something bad from happening.
Spikes and Fire Torches -: These are harmful tools used to scare or hurt elephants. Spikes can injure them, and fire torches can burn them.
Human-Elephant Conflicts -: This happens when elephants and people come into contact and cause problems for each other. It can lead to damage or harm on both sides.