Environment minister jairam Ramesh said that elephant will be declared as the national heritage animal of the nation keeping in mind its association with the religion and culture of the nation.

Jairam Ramesh told reporters –

“We will soon declare elephant as a national heritage animal as they have been part of our heritage since ages. We need to give same degree of importance to elephant as is given to tiger in order to protect the big animal.

Ramesh further said –

We will introduce it (amendment) in the winter session of Parliament.

He said that the matter cannot be taken lightly as the jumbos can become extract ike tigers which are just 1411.

There are 25000 elephants in india presently.