THRISSUR: With instances of elephant torture and accidents caused by unruly elephants on the rise, the State government had amended the Kerala Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012 governing captive elephant management. However, animal lovers contend that these rules are observed more in their breach.
A few of the important guidelines are:
1. Elephants should not be paraded or transported from one place to another between 11 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. Special permission should be taken from the District Collector concerned if they have to be paraded as part of unavoidable religious rituals. Guidelines for transporting elephants should be strictly followed.
2. Elephants should not be paraded for more than six hours at a stretch. An elephant that has been paraded one night should not be paraded the next day. Organisers should ensure sufficient supply of food and water for the jumbos.
3. Sanction should not be given for new poorams after the year of 2012. Number of elephants for pooram should not exceed that of 2012.
4. Forest, revenue and police officials should fitness certificates for elephants only after checking the data book relating to each animal.
5. A monitoring committee led by the Collector concerned should be held every month during festival season to ensure prevention of torture of elephants. It should ensure that sufficient area is available in case more than 15 elephants are being paraded.
6. More than three elephants should not be allowed to enter the temple premises at a time.
7. Drunk mahouts should not be allowed for festivals. Legal action should be taken against such mahouts and kept away when elephants are paraded.
8. People should not be allowed to stand within 3 metres of the elephants. No one, except mahouts, should be allowed to touch the elephants.
(EOM)
