Kochi: The Kerala High Court has issued guidelines for the use of elephants during festivals, specifying several safety and welfare measures. The guidelines mandate prior approval from the district-level committee before using elephants for any events. Additionally, it stipulates that a minimum distance of eight meters must be maintained between the public and the elephants and that the area where the elephant is stationed must be secured with barricades.
The guidelines, issued for religious events, festivals, and other public functions where elephants are involved, emphasize that the distance between the elephant and tools like sharp implements (such as goads) should be at least five meters. Furthermore, the elephants must be kept at a safe distance of eight meters from the public.
Key points in the guidelines include:
- Elephants should not be paraded for more than three continuous hours.
- Elephants should not be made to travel more than 30 kilometers per day.
- Elephants should not be made to travel between 10 PM and 4 AM, and organizers must ensure that proper rest areas are provided for elephants during the night.
- Elephants should not be made to travel more than 125 kilometers in a single day.
The guidelines also stipulate that the district committee’s approval must be obtained at least one month in advance for any elephant parade. Elephants must not be transported in vehicles for more than six hours in a day, and the speed of the vehicle transporting the elephant should not exceed 25 km/h. Additionally, the vehicle should be equipped with a speed governor.
Organizers are required to ensure that all necessary documentation, including the elephant’s health certificate, is in order. The district-level committee is responsible for verifying these documents before granting permission for an elephant parade. The guidelines stress the importance of providing elephants with proper nutrition, rest, and a safe distance from the public during the event.
The fitness certificate for the elephants should be issued by government-approved veterinarians. To ensure effective implementation of these guidelines, committees should be formed in each district, including a member from the Animal Welfare Board.
The directive was issued following the consideration of a report by the amicus curiae. The Division Bench of Justices A.K. Jayashankar Nambiar and A. Gopinath issued the important order, which also mentioned the ‘Nazi camp’ analogy for the treatment of elephants in captivity. The court criticized the treatment of elephants, comparing it to the suffering of animals in concentration camps.
