Lok Sabha Question No. 2979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Declaration of Gaumata as National Animal
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Bhagirath Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## 2979

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## DECLARATION OF GAUMATA AS NATIONAL ANIMAL

## † 2979. SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  certain  bird  flower,  animal  etc.  in  the  country  have  been  designated  as national bird, national flower and national animal and provided protection along with the  special  status  keeping  in  view  the  sentiments  of  common  people  across  the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  respective  dates  on  which  the  above  have  been  designated  as  national symbols along with names of such protected bird, flower, animal etc. including other national symbols;
- (c) whether  revival  of  these  national  symbols  have  taken  place  after  providing  them protection and status of special importance;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the  Government  intends  to  recognize  'Gaumata'  an  integral  part  of  Indian Culture  as  a  national  animal  as  considering  protection  and  revival  of  Indian  and sanatan culture by bringing a legislation in the Parliament in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (g) whether  the  hon.  High  Court  of  Allahabad  and  Jaipur  have  also  ordered  and commented to expedite the process of declaring 'Gaumata' as national animal; and
- (h) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI  G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) to (d): As informed by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC),  the  Government  of  India  had  notified  Tiger  and  Peacock  as  'National Animal' and 'National Bird' respectively. As the said notifications of the 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 30 th May 2011.

Tiger  and  Peacock  have  been  included  in  the  Schedule-I  animals  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act, 1972,  thereby  according  them  the  highest  degree  of  protection  from  hunting.  In  addition,  important habitats of these animals have also been declared as Protected Areas. The population of tigers in the country has increased from 1411 in 2006 to 3682 in 2022.

- (e)  to (h): As informed by Department of Animal Husbandry, under the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States, (Article 246(3) of the Constitution) preservation of animal is a matter on  which  the  State  legislature  has  exclusive  powers  to  legislate.  In  order  to  complement  and supplement the efforts made by the States and UTs 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. Department has also established Animal Welfare board of India for protecting animals including cow and its progeny.

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