: A circular issued by the Forest Department imposing strict regulations on parading of elephants has been withdrawn following protests from the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms.
The Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules restrict parading of elephants between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and insists on a three-metre distance between two elephants.
The Devaswoms threatened to limit Thrissur Pooram to rituals as the circular insisted on implementing the rules strictly. They said it was impossible to conduct pooram as per the rules.