Kerala govt bats for ban on elephant parading: K Raju

Kerala government has proposed to bring in restrictions on parading elephants in temples and other festivities, Minister for Forest and Animal Husbandry K Raju said here today.
"The government is of the view that certain restrictions on parading elephants during festivities is necessary," Raju told reporters here while stating that general guidelines with conditions would be formulated for allowing elephants to take part in festivals and other functions after discussions.
He said the government would ensure that the owners of all the captive jumbos have the required licence.
On the government's priority to protect and preserve forest areas in the state, Raju said encroachment would not be allowed and another major initiative would be to complete the solar fencing works in the fringe areas to check man-animal conflicts.

"Necessary funds for erecting solar fencing would be earmarked in the LDF government budget to be presented in the house," he added.
Government also has an ambitious plan to produce anti-rabies vaccine at the Biological Institute and Rabies Vaccine at nearby Palode, he said.
"The government's aim is to start anti-rabies vaccine within next three years", he said.
On milk production in the state, the minister said steps also would be taken to see to it that Kerala becomes self-sufficient in milk production.