Mission Arikomban: Animal rights group files caveat with SC against Kerala govt

New Delhi: The 'Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy', an animal rights organisation that previously petitioned the Kerala High Court against the state government's Mission Arikomban, has now filed a caveat at the Supreme Court. The organisation has requested the court to hear their arguments before passing any interim order in case Kerala appeals against the high court's decision to rehabilitate the rogue elephant in Idukki to Parambikulam or any other suitable forest as decided by the government. The state government is of the opinion that the elephant should be kept in captivity at the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre.

The Forest Minister, AK Saseendran, clarified recently that the government finds it difficult to implement the High Court's verdict and will approach the Supreme Court accordingly. The government also intends to request the Supreme Court to allow action under the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 to deal with harmful wild animals. However, the animal rights activists are against the translocation of Arikomban from the forest. The organisation has expressed no objection to shifting Arikomban to Parambikulam.

Additionally, they will request the Supreme Court to take action against the resorts located along Kerala's elephant pathways (Anathara), similar to the intervention taken by the court against resorts in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris.