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ITANAGAR: The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) in Arunachal Pradesh has clarified that 20 captive elephants have been relocated to the Radhe Krishna Temple Welfare Trust in Gujarat, a rescue centre managed by the Reliance Group.
The transfer was approved by a high-powered committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and entrusted by the Supreme Court, with the full consent of the elephants' current owners. The relocated elephants include 10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calf.
In an official statement, the PCCF explained that captive elephants were historically used for timber operations in the state until the Supreme Court banned green felling in 1996. Since then, the role of these elephants has diminished.
"The elephants were used to drag timber logs from remote forest areas and load them onto trucks. However, after the green felling ban, they were mostly employed for minor tasks like fetching firewood. With improved road networks and the availability of vehicles, their usage has reduced further," the statement said.
Maintaining elephants is both challenging and costly. An adult elephant requires 120-160 kilograms of mixed feed daily, including rice, gram, pulses, jaggery, and green fodder. Additionally, captive elephants often suffer from health issues like injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma due to harsh labour and prolonged chaining, the PCCF added.
Currently, over 160 captive elephants reside in Arunachal Pradesh, primarily in the Namsai forest division. Due to financial and logistical challenges, many owners find it increasingly difficult to care for them.
The Radhe Krishna Temple Welfare Trust had been approached by several elephant owners seeking better care for their animals.
The trust secured all necessary permissions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including a no-objection certificate from the Gujarat Forest Department and transport approval from the Arunachal Forest Department as per the Captive Elephants (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024.
The elephants, most of which are sick and aged, were transported in specially designed elephant ambulances. Health check-ups and DNA profiling were conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, before the relocation.
The trust has committed to providing lifelong care for the elephants while also offering livelihood opportunities for their owners, mahouts, and their families. "Mahouts have received intensive training in humane and scientifically backed elephant management practices, ensuring compassionate care for the animals," the PCCF noted.
A dedicated team of over 200 experts, including veterinarians, para-veterinarians, caretakers, and ambulance drivers, oversaw the safe and compliant transportation of the elephants. All 20 animals have safely reached the rescue center, where they will receive proper care and a secure environment for the rest of their lives.
Also Read: Vantara to Welcome 20 Rescued Elephants Freed from Exploitative Logging Industry
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