Writ petition filed before Chief Justice Gauhati High Court on transport of 4 elephants

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: In the event of State Forest Department’s decision to transport 4 elephants from Tinsukia to Ahmedabad, notwithstanding objection by wildlife experts and veterinarians, a writ petition has been filed before the Chief Justice Gauhati High Court by a Canada-based Nature and Wildlife Journalist seeking immediate stoppage of the transportation of four juvenile elephant.

Sangita Iyer, Nari Shakti Puraskaar awardee and Executive Producer and Director Gods in Shakles documentary submitted the petition against Assam Forest Department and Union Ministry of Environment and Climate Change on Friday. In her petition, Iyer stated that India is currently under the spell of horrific heat wave and these juvenile elephants are incapable of handling the brutal temperature hovering at 50 degree Celsius. As they are expected to be boarded into goods train from Tinsukia, it will be a gruelling 96- hour journey under extreme heat within a cooped-up metal buggy. She further stated that most experts also expressed concerns apprehending that the transportation could result in tragic ending due to heat, distress and dehydration. Despite being opposed permits have been issued and elephants will be transported, she mentioned in her petition. In another significant development, Gaurav Gogoi MP from Kaliabor while expressing concern over the reported move by the Assam Government to transport 4 elephants to participate in Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival at Ahmedabad, has sought Union Minister of EF and CC Prakash Javdeker’s immediate intervention.

Also read: Ninth edition of ‘Pobitora’ released by Pragjyoti Communications at Mayong Anchalik College near Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary