The Khedda was an old practice of driving wild elephants into enclosures for later domestication. History notes that the practice is an ancient one, dating back to the times of Chandragupta Maurya.
Closer to home, the forests of Kabini were known for the Khedda operations that took place there from the early 19th century, during the time of the Mysore royal dynasties and the British Raj. Records reveal that 36 Kheddas were conducted in these forests until their eventual banning in 1972 under the Wildlife Protection Act of India.
Much water has flowed since then. A marked change has occurred in our perception of animals, and elephants in particular. There is a blossoming of an evolved consciousness amongst the human species, which seems to have found kinship with its animal relatives through empathy rather than exploitation.
It is the new writing on the wall; one we believe is a sign of these enlightened times.
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