India, Aug. 27 -- The Supreme Court's concern over the upkeep and healthcare of captive elephants is well founded. Data presented by the Centre to the court last week show that the country's captive elephant population has risen by 50 since the last census in 2019, while figures for privately owned elephants, circuses and temples remain unchanged.

The static numbers have raised concerns of underreporting. Environmental activists say it is difficult to believe that, over seven years, no elephant died in captivity and none was added to these categories.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on August 18 directed the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) and the Captive Elephant Healthcare and Welf...