The decision was taken following the recommendation of a 12-member special task force on elephant conservation set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The committee proposed the new status in a report submitted on August 31.
Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh had earlier said âelephants have been a part of our heritage since ages" and that there was a need to accord importance to the pachyderm. Read the full report here.
Source: BY Tuhin Dutta, Tehelka, Delhi.