The national animal of India is Tiger and the government does not intend to recognise cow as the national animal, Union culture minister G Kishan Reddy told Parliament on Monday.
Reddy was replying to a slew of questions raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of Parliament (MP) Bhagirath Choudhary, who asked the culture ministry whether the government intends to recognise ‘Gaumata’ (cow), an integral part of Indian culture, as a national animal, considering protection and revival of the Indian and ‘Sanatan culture’ by bringing a legislation in Parliament.
To that, Reddy clarified that the Government of India had notified Tiger and Peacock as ‘National Animal’ and ‘National Bird’, respectively, and that both these had been included in the Schedule-I animals of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.”
“Government of India were not forthcoming in the official records of MoEF&CC for quite some time, the Ministry renotified Tiger and Peacock as ‘National Animal’ and National Bird’, respectively, on 30th May 2011,” he added.
On a specific question whether the high court of Allahabad and Jaipur had ordered and commented to expedite the process of declaring ‘Gaumata’ as national animal, Reddy noted that these matters rested in the hands of the state’s legislative authorities, while adding, “In order to complement and supplement the efforts made by the states and UTs (Union Territories) the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and protection of indigenous breeds including indigenous breeds of cattle. The mission is leading to increase in availability of indigenous breeds including cattle in the country. The Department has also established the Animal Welfare Board of India for protecting animals including cow and its progeny.”
{{/usCountry}}On a specific question whether the high court of Allahabad and Jaipur had ordered and commented to expedite the process of declaring ‘Gaumata’ as national animal, Reddy noted that these matters rested in the hands of the state’s legislative authorities, while adding, “In order to complement and supplement the efforts made by the states and UTs (Union Territories) the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and protection of indigenous breeds including indigenous breeds of cattle. The mission is leading to increase in availability of indigenous breeds including cattle in the country. The Department has also established the Animal Welfare Board of India for protecting animals including cow and its progeny.”
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