The Kerala High Court has sought the Centre and state's response on a PIL challenging a government order allowing the declaration of elephant possession.
The Public Interest Litigation, filed by an NGO, expressed apprehension that allowing the declaration of possession of elephants will indirectly pave the way for obtaining an ownership certificate, contravening a Supreme Court order.
The court issued notice to the Environment Ministry, Kerala government and the Animal Welfare Board of India seeking their stand on the public interest litigation.
The NGO, Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy, contended that the government order provides a fresh 45-day period to declare possession of animals, including those derived from Schedule I species, which include captive elephants.
The petition has sought that the government order, to the extent it applies to elephants, be declared illegal, arbitrary, and unenforceable and be quashed.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing on June 1.
