Human society is responsible for human-elephant conflict: President Murmu
Guwahati (IANS) | President Draupadi Murmu on Friday inaugurated the Gaja Utsav at Kaziranga National Park in Assam and said that the responsibility of human-elephant conflict rests with the human society. Speaking on the occasion, President Draupadi Murmu said that elephants have been given the highest respect in our tradition. It is considered a symbol of prosperity. It is the national heritage animal of India. Therefore, protecting elephants is an important part of our national responsibility to preserve our national heritage.
He said that human-elephant conflict has been an issue since ages and when we analyze this conflict, it is found that the root cause is disturbance of natural habitat or movement of elephants. Therefore, the responsibility of this struggle lies with the human society.
The President emphasized that the main objective of Project Elephant is to protect elephants, preserve their natural habitats and keep elephant corridors free of obstruction. The project also aims to solve problems related to human-elephant conflict.
The President said that Kaziranga and Manas National Parks in Assam are invaluable heritage not only of India but of the whole world. That is why they have been given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO.
Further said that Assam has the second largest population of wild elephants in the country. Hence, Kaziranga is a very suitable place for organizing Gaja Utsav. For the success of Project Hathi and Gaja Utsav, all the stakeholders have to move forward together.
The President said that the works which are in the interest of nature, animals and birds are also in the interest of humanity and Mother Earth. The forests and green areas of the elephant reserve are very effective carbon sinks.
He said that conservation of elephants would benefit all of us and would also help in facing the challenges of climate change. Along with the government, the participation of the society is necessary in such efforts.
Elephants are considered very intelligent and sensitive animals. They are also social animals like humans. He said, we should have a sense of empathy and respect for elephants and other living creatures in the same way as we have for human beings. We can learn the spirit of selfless love from animals and birds.
President Murmu said that nature and humanity have a very sacred relationship and the culture of respecting nature has been India’s identity.
–IANS
