Wildlife Protection Act, changing needs lead to dwindling numbers at Sonepur fair

Wildlife Protection Act, changing needs lead to dwindling numbers at Sonepur fair

News:

At the Sonepur Cattle Fair, the sale of animals has drastically reduced.

Important Facts:

About Sonepur Cattle fair:

1. Sonepur Cattle Fair is organized every year during November-December. The Fair commences on the day of Kartik Purnima and lasts for more than a fortnight.
2. The fair is held on the banks of the river Ganga, where it confluences with its tributary, Gandak, in Saran District, Bihar
3. The fair acts as a selling ground of not only cattle, but also breeds of dogs, elephants, birds and camels

Issues:

1. There has been a drastic fall in numbers of animals bought and sold at fair, particularly after key amendments were inserted in the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) in 2002 and consequent enforcement since 2004. Since then the selling of elephants and exotic birds have stopped.
2. Further, changing lifestyles and easy local availability of domesticated animals has led the Sonepur cattle fair lose its vigour.