← 2 October 2026's Current Affairs · Environment GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆
Madras HC Orders SOP for Elephants in Temple Events
बातमीत का?
Elephants in temple events: the 1992 scheme and Schedule I status that Prelims environment questions test
The Madras High Court wants a State SOP on temple elephants, due before it on 30 October.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 मिनिटे
The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame a standard operating procedure for the participation of elephants in temple events and religious functions.
The draft SOP must be placed before the court on 30 October 2026.
Project Elephant, the Centre's scheme for wild elephants and their habitats, was launched in 1992, and the Asian elephant is a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
स्रोत: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
महत्त्वाची तथ्ये
Remember these
- Madras High Court directed Tamil Nadu to frame an SOP for elephants in temple events and religious functions.
- The draft SOP must be placed before the court on 30 October 2026.
- Project Elephant, the Centre's scheme for wild elephants and their habitats, was launched in 1992.
- The Asian elephant is a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The story falls under GS-III Environment: wildlife protection and captive animals.
पूर्व · मुख्य
How the exam will ask it
पूर्व
- Project Elephant was launched in 1992 as a Centrally sponsored scheme to protect elephants, their habitats and corridors.
- The Asian elephant is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which gives it the highest level of legal protection.
- Project Elephant covers wild elephants and their habitats; the court's SOP concerns captive elephants used in temple events.
मुख्य
GS-III Environment: the issue is the use of captive elephants in temple festivals and the welfare and safety concerns it raises. The legal frame is the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with Schedule I protection for the Asian elephant, and the court has asked the State for a uniform SOP. The way forward is clear standards on housing, transport, working hours and veterinary care, backed by monitoring and enforcement, while respecting religious practice.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Project Elephant, the Centrally sponsored scheme for the conservation of wild elephants and their habitats, was launched in:
- 1973
- 1986
- 2010
- 1992
उत्तर पहा
उत्तर: D — Correct: 1992 — Project Elephant was launched in 1992 to protect elephants, their habitats and corridors. • 1973 — wrong: 1973 is the year Project Tiger was launched, not Project Elephant. • 1986 — wrong: 1986 is not the launch year of Project Elephant; it falls well before the scheme began. • 2010 — wrong: 2010 is the year the elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal, not the scheme's launch year.
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