MoEFCC Bans Dolphin Captivity in India
Introduction
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) has taken a landmark decision by banning the captivity of dolphins in India. This progressive move has sparked a broader ethical debate within India’s animal protection movement, reflecting a growing global understanding that dolphins deserve protection based on who they are, rather than simply what they are.
Background: Dolphinariums in India
India’s experience with dolphin captivity dates back to the late 1990s, when four dolphins were imported from Bulgaria to a marine-themed amusement park called Dolphin City in Chennai. The venture was poorly managed, and all four dolphins died within six months of arrival. Despite this failure, several state governments and private entities proposed new dolphinariums in recent years to attract tourism. Notable proposals included initiatives by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the Kerala Fisheries Department in Kochi, and private hoteliers in Noida (National Capital Region).
Why Ban Dolphinariums?
- Cetaceans—whales, dolphins, and porpoises—are highly intelligent, social, and sensitive animals. However, they do not adapt well to life in captivity. Confinement in artificial enclosures severely alters their natural behaviour and inflicts extreme distress. The captivity industry exploits dolphins by denying them freedom while hiding the harm inflicted upon them. Although some humane laws exist to prevent cruelty, animals are still treated as property and often denied basic rights, including the right to life, liberty, and freedom from harm. Several countries, including Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Chile, have already banned dolphin captivity to prevent such suffering.
Protests and Advocacy
- The MoEFCC’s decision came in response to months of protests against a proposed dolphin park in Kerala and similar marine mammal parks planned elsewhere in the country. Animal welfare organisations, under the umbrella of the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), led vigorous campaigns demanding a ban on dolphinariums. These efforts underscored the ethical imperative to protect dolphins from exploitation.
The MoEFCC Order
- In a circular issued through the Central Zoo Authority, MoEFCC declared that dolphins are “highly intelligent and sensitive” and should be regarded as “non-human persons” with their own specific rights. The order stated it is “morally unacceptable” to keep dolphins captive for entertainment purposes. MoEFCC instructed all state governments to reject any proposals—whether from private parties or government agencies—for dolphinariums, and to prohibit the import, capture, or commercial use of cetacean species for entertainment or exhibition.
Legal Protection of Dolphins in India
- In India, the Gangetic Dolphin and the Snubfin Dolphin are protected species under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Recognizing its ecological and cultural significance, the government has also declared the Gangetic Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India.