Kochi: The Kerala High Court recently gave directions to the authorities concerned regarding the upkeep of elephants housed at the Punnathur Anakkotta (Guruvayur Punnathurkotta), Thrissur.

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The court gave directions while hearing the petition filed by the elephant conservationist Sangita Iyer. She is the producer of multiple award-winning documentary--Gods in Shackles, and the founder of Voice for Asian Elephants Society, and National Geographic Explorer.

Punnathur Anakkotta is under Guruvayur Devaswom. It has been alleged by the petitioner that the necessary infrastructure for proper upkeep and protection of the elephants is not given. The petition noted that suggestions made, both by the petitioner as also the Statutory authorities like the Animal Welfare Board of India are totally ignored. The petition also specifically highlighted the space constraints and the condition of aged elephants.

The bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice P G Ajithkumar in an order passed on August 25, directed the following:

  • Provide proper hygiene of the place by prompt removal and cleaning of filth and refuse from the premises
  • Keep the area used for housing the elephants clean at all times
  • Ensure that the elephants don't have to stand on their own refuse
  • Lengthen and loosen the chains of elephants and install a one-inch thick rubber/ canvas (or other soft padding) sheathing below the chain to prevent the chain from cutting into the flesh of elephants
  • Provide a properly diverse diet to the elephants appropriate for their health and nutritional needs based on expert scientific opinion and studies on the same
  • Identify and retire those elephants that are aged, or are not being used by the temple, in a rehabilitation center, where they can roam freely in an open enclosure without chains.
  • Provide proper environmental enrichment for each elephant
  • Provide facility for proper exercise and movement for the elephants and maintain a log book for the same

The court also added Assistant Conservator of Forest (Thrissur Social Forestry) as a respondent in the case. The official has been directed to ensure strict compliance with the provisions in the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden's circular (Circular No. 01/2019) in connection with the management of captive elephants. The official has also been asked to conduct an inspection at the Punnathur Anakkotta.

The other respondents in the case are higher officials of Guruvayur Devaswom, Kerala Forests And Wildlife Department, Kerala Revenue (Devaswom) Department, Animal Welfare Board of India, Department of Museums And Zoos), Central Zoo Authority of India and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India.

The court earlier appointed a Court Commissioner to conduct an inspection at Anakkotta along with other authorities concerned.  The panel was asked to report along with photographs, regarding the care, management, and maintenance of elephants, with reference to the provisions under the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, especially Rules 3 and 6, and also report on the welfare and veterinary status of captive elephants.