New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday put on hold the relocation of a 48-year-old female elephant from Assam's Jorhat to a temple in the national capital, observing there was no clarity on the need and purpose of moving the animal from its present location.
A bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela acted after ordering a site inspection where it was revealed that a large number of animals, including horses and camels, were sheltered at the facility owned by a religious trust, spread across 1.5 acres in south Delhi's Sainik Farms area.
The court also issued a notice to the Maa Baglamukhi Mandir Trust, which runs the facility and plans to host the elephant from Assam.
"Since the court has been informed that elephant Ranjitha has not started her travel to Delhi, we direct that she should not be moved from her place of residence. The Union of India shall ensure that the direction is intimated to the relevant authorities and the same is complied with," HC noted while hearing a plea by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) challenging the transfer of the captive elephant.
The matter has been posted for hearing on Nov 28. Earlier in the day, the court asked the Chief Wildlife Warden, Delhi, to visit the Sainik Farms location and assess the living conditions, number of staff, and animals there.
The FIAPO counsel submitted that the change in climate conditions would be traumatic for the elephant, who was used to living in a place like Jorhat, which has considerable greenery. Seeking the stand of the forest department and Centre, the court wondered if it was safe to subject the pachyderm to road travel of over 2,000km.
"Is she fit enough to travel so far? She is already 48 and the average age of female elephants is 60 years. Elephants require a huge space, they move a lot. Unnecessarily, why do you want to confine the elephant here in such a small place?" the bench remarked, after being informed that Assam authorities and the Chief Wildlife Warden, Delhi, granted permission to move the elephant to the national capital.
The petitioner expressed urgency in the matter, saying once the animal arrived in Delhi, it would be a strenuous journey for the animal back to Assam in case the move has to be reversed.