Citing China's plan to cut its meat consumption by 50 per cent, animal rights body People For Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Wednesday wrote to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take similar steps for sustainable environment in India. It said cutting down meat consumption will save animal lives, reduce heart ailments and certain types of cancer, besides helping avoid the effects of climate change.
In another incident, animal activists have regretted the decision of Pune courts to send back blind and sick elephants back to circus from rescue center.
Poorva Joshipura , PETA India CEO, in her letter to the Prime Minister said China's cut in meat consumption by 50 per cent would reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from its livestock industry by 1bn tonnes by 2030, from a projected 1.8bn tonnes in that year.
PETA further said India's economy is predicted to be amongst the most heavily impacted by climate change by 2025 and the annual cost of environmental degradation already amounts to 5.7 per cent of the GDP.
Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between animal-derived foods and climate change, with meat-eaters responsible for almost 2.5 times diet-related greenhouse-gas emissions per day compared to vegans, it said.
PETA pointed out UN has concluded that a global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, resource poverty and the worst impacts of climate change.
In another incident decision, the animal activists have lamented on the decision of Pune's court for the return of four debilitated elephants back to Rambo Circus, According to an elephant veterinarian Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar , the blind and injured elephants have had a small taste of freedom. All the efforts in providing them medical care and treatment will be lost if they are returned to the circus.