Kochi: PETA India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), New Delhi has moved the Kerala high Court seeking a directive to the organisers of Thrissur pooram not to parade elephants in the pooram this year.
The petitioner submitted that the traditional parade should not be conducted without getting permission from the Animal welfare board of India.
PETA Section 23 of the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2003 Act makes it mandatory that an elephant can be exhibited or used for any performance only when the person who owns the elephant is registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India.
The Board stated that none of the elephants in Kerala were so far registered in accordance with the Act and Rules. Hence, no elephant can be paraded or exhibited in Thrissur Pooram to be held on Wednesday.
The petitioners argued that sanction under Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001 and prior permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India was needed.
PETA argued that the use of hundreds of Indian Elephants in Thrissur Pooram does not have any historical, cultural or religious basis.
