I read with anguish yet another report of elephants being killed by trains ("Seven Elephants killed by Goods Train", http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11396729, 23 Sept 2010).
The Elephant is India's National Heritage Animal. In Indian culture (as also other South/South East Asian culture such as Thai or Sri Lankan), elephants have traditionally had a significant--even sacred--position. One of India's most enduring and endearing icon, Ganesha, is nothing but a baby elephant personified and deified. In Kerala--one of the well-known elephant habitats--most temple festivals are incomplete without elephants.
Elephants are being threatened gradually by many things: diminishing forest cover, degradation of habitats, poaching, and more recently, Indian Railways.
It is indeed a pity that Indian Railways, otherwise a very valuable asset to the country, should be callous in not protecting India's National Heritage Animal.
Perhaps an easier way to relate to the need to protect these gentle giants would be to consider that in protecting elephants, we are protecting Ganesha. If IR doesn't take immediate steps to do this, India's heritage may soon be without its National Heritage Animal.
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