KOCHI: Complaints have been dispatched by Thrissur-based Heritage Animal Task Force to the Prime Minister; Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala; secretary, Animal Welfare Board of India; and Union Ministry of Environment and Forest on the alleged act of the Thrikkakara Mahadeva Temple authorities in Ernakulam to parade an elephant near a torch with flames.
“The order pronounced by the Supreme Court on August 18 had clearly stated that elephant torches made up of flames must be kept far away from the body of the elephant. The elephant was placed inside the Thrikkakara Mahadeva temple on August 20 as part of the flag-hoisting ceremony of Thiruvonolsavam. Even though the temple premises where the elephant was kept for the flag-hoisting ceremony was well illuminated by using electric bulbs, the use of torch was quite unnecessary and in effect resulted in torturing the elephant,” said V. K. Venkitachalam, secretary of Heritage Animal Task Force.
“Even though the district administration HQ is not far from this temple, no official from the administration including the District Collector had intervened to stop this. The Supreme Court’s August 18 order had said that the district committee constituted for the prevention of cruelty to elephants must take all necessary actions to safeguard elephants from all types of torture while granting permission for the conduct of festivals. Incidentally the District Collector is the chairman of such statutory committee,” he added.
Venkitachalam also said that the Thrikkakkara temple committee is all set to parade five elephants inside the compound wall of the temple on August 26 and nine elephants on July 27.
“This type of parading of elephants inside the compound wall is quite unlawful as the Kerala Captive Elephant Management and Maintenance Rule 2012 clearly stipulates that only three elephants are eligible for admission at a time on the premises of the temple which is surrounded by compound wall,” he added.
