THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It took the deaths of 13 captive elephants, six mahouts and a devotee in the last four months for the Forest Department to finally open its eyes. It has put out an order saying that elephant owners found subjecting their elephants to over-work or torture will face “severe consequences” that will include confiscating the elephant under their custody.
The Department, rather than giving out directions, will swing into action. It will closely monitor the captive elephants that are most in demand, and therefore likely to be pushed harder, for temple processions and other such festivals. Such popular elephants will be identified in every district and officials will closely monitor whether the Captive Elephant Management Rules, 2012, are adhered to. “The inspecting officers will verify the various registers, especially the movement register, to ensure that the provisions in the rules are complied with,” the order said.
The greed to maximize profits goad owners to make elephants walk under the sun or do hard labour even during the ‘musth’ period. “There is need to ensure that the elephant is not provoked or put to work during the musth periold and also to ensure that musth is not suppressed. The history of musth will be tracked and sufficient care and rest during the forthcoming musth periold will be ensured,” the order said.
The order states that checking will be done at four levels. First, festival organisers should get registered with the district committee. Second, the elephant should be transported only in a registered vehicle. Third, there should be valid fitness certificate issued by a qualified veterinary doctor. Fourth, the movement should get recorded in the movement register of the elephant. All these should be properly and timely checked, so that none of the elephants used is over-worked before the programme.
