Kerala - Kannur   

Action against those violating elephant care rules

KANNUR: The Forest Department here will conduct awareness campaigns for the strict enforcement of the Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules to check incidents of cruelty to elephants.

A district-level committee meeting, held here recently, chaired by District Collector Ishita Roy also decided to take stern action against those found violating the rules.

In the first phase, elephant owners and mahouts will be directed to register with the District Forest Office here, before April 30.

When contacted, District Forest Officer (DFO) K.I. Unnikrishna Prakash said here on Saturday that the meeting had decided to act against those who were defying the rules framed to protect elephants.

He said those who were using elephants for different purposes, including temple festivals, should inform the Police Station House Officer (SHO) of the area concerned and the Forest Range Officer 72 hours in advance. The Village Officer and Tahsildar concerned should also be given advance information, he said.

The committee also decided to hold monthly meetings to examine complaints concerning incidents of cruelties towards elephants.

Campaigns to create awareness among elephant owners and mahouts would begin in May. Initially, an awareness class would be conducted for mahouts on May 10. It would be followed by similar classes for owners and the public.

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