The district-level committee on management and maintenance of captive elephants has issued guidelines for parading elephants in festivals.
Officials said that only those festivals, which had permission for using elephants till 2012, would be given consent this season. The festival organisers would not be allowed to increase the number of elephants from that in 2012.
There are 18 captive elephants in the district and 235 festivals have the permission for parading elephants. The committee has decided to initiate stringent action against those who violate the Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) rules. It said that elephants without fitness certificate and which are sick, injured, blind or pregnant should not be paraded.
Data book
Mahouts should always keep with them the elephant data book and copies of insurance, microchip-ownership certificates, and fitness certificate. The organisers of the festivals parading elephants should take insurance cover for a minimum amount of ₹25 lakh for 72 hours.
The norms say that no elephant should be paraded for more than six hours continuously and the animal should not be forced to stand under the scorching sun. The animal should be made to stand on wet sacks or under canopy to protect it from the heat.
The festival organisers and mahout should ensure that elephant is provided water and food before and after festivities.
Mahouts have been asked not to beat the animals using sticks fitted with nails and needles.
The committee directed the festival organisers to ensure the service of a veterinary doctor.
Health checks
The health of all elephants above 35 years should be examined. The elephant that has turned violent or restive should not be paraded for 15 days.
The police have been directed to verify whether mahouts are drunk.
The people have been asked to ensure at least 3-m distance between parading elephants and that crackers are not burst near the animal.
