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| PIERCING TRUTH: The wound on the leg of an elephant at Punnathur Kotta near Guruvayur caused by the iron chain, has turned septic due to lack of timely care by the authorities. |
By Dhanya Ezhuthachan Sixty-three captive elephants at the Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary near Guruyaur meted with ill-treatment and torture are living in a pathetic condition, Heritage Animal Task Force secretary VK Venkitachalam has alleged.
According to Venkitachalam, the elephants are forced to stand all the time without proper food, rest and other basic facilities. The authorities, who do not seem to be concerned about these elephants' poor health and diseases, take them to festivals.
The sanctuary consisted of 11 acres of land is governed by Guruvayur Devaswom.
Most of the elephants came to the sanctuary through Rs Nadayiruthal' ritual at the Guruvayur temple, an offering of elephants to the deity.
Venkitachalam alleged that people made the offering when their elephants were ill and not able to work.
Now, there are 37 elephants at the sanctuary without ownership certificate. These days, barring exceptional cases, elephant offerings are not accepted at the temple.
In such cases too, there are strict norms to be adhered. The temple should not accept an elephant without the certificate. The authorities should check whether the elephants are physically fit for temple rituals. It is also alleged that the authorities do not stick to the rules and accept elephants.
Venkitachalam says the temple needs just three elephants for its daily rituals.
He added that at least three acres of land are needed for an elephant. However, in the elephant sanctuary, 63 elephants stay in just 11 acres of land without sufficient space to move.
Leg bones of some elephants appeared to be bent by holding the weight of the body for longer hours.
He adds, "The elephants get Kettiyazhikal whenever their mahout changes. Mahouts torture them. It causes bone injuries and fractures.
Such torture is said to be leading to the attack on mahouts.
Venkitachalam says, "Shifting elephants in trucks is the cruellest human action to the animal. They cannot breathe properly and eat while travelling."
The authorities cut the tusk and tail hairs of the elephants and sell it outside. Such tortures are against the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Venkitachalam says the Devaswom authorities completely ignore the notices from the state forest department to stop torture of the elephants.
Chairman of Guruvayur Devaswom TV Chandramohan says, "India's best system is provided at the sanctuary. 'Nadayiruthal' is very scarce nowadays due to the ownership certificate problems. Best doctors available for the elephants. We have limitations on the space, still we maintain it with the available facilities and try to improve. We take elephants to festivals after proper verifications.
TVS Motors Company soon will donate a vehicle specially designed to shift elephants to distant locations. Best food and traditional treatment are given to the elephants.
The mahouts are employees with class II salary of government staff. Problems may be there. But, one should try to see the positive sides too."
According to Venkitachalam, the elephants are forced to stand all the time without proper food, rest and other basic facilities. The authorities, who do not seem to be concerned about these elephants' poor health and diseases, take them to festivals.
The sanctuary consisted of 11 acres of land is governed by Guruvayur Devaswom.
Most of the elephants came to the sanctuary through Rs Nadayiruthal' ritual at the Guruvayur temple, an offering of elephants to the deity.
Venkitachalam alleged that people made the offering when their elephants were ill and not able to work.
Now, there are 37 elephants at the sanctuary without ownership certificate. These days, barring exceptional cases, elephant offerings are not accepted at the temple.
In such cases too, there are strict norms to be adhered. The temple should not accept an elephant without the certificate. The authorities should check whether the elephants are physically fit for temple rituals. It is also alleged that the authorities do not stick to the rules and accept elephants.
Venkitachalam says the temple needs just three elephants for its daily rituals.
He added that at least three acres of land are needed for an elephant. However, in the elephant sanctuary, 63 elephants stay in just 11 acres of land without sufficient space to move.
Leg bones of some elephants appeared to be bent by holding the weight of the body for longer hours.
He adds, "The elephants get Kettiyazhikal whenever their mahout changes. Mahouts torture them. It causes bone injuries and fractures.
Such torture is said to be leading to the attack on mahouts.
Venkitachalam says, "Shifting elephants in trucks is the cruellest human action to the animal. They cannot breathe properly and eat while travelling."
The authorities cut the tusk and tail hairs of the elephants and sell it outside. Such tortures are against the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Venkitachalam says the Devaswom authorities completely ignore the notices from the state forest department to stop torture of the elephants.
Chairman of Guruvayur Devaswom TV Chandramohan says, "India's best system is provided at the sanctuary. 'Nadayiruthal' is very scarce nowadays due to the ownership certificate problems. Best doctors available for the elephants. We have limitations on the space, still we maintain it with the available facilities and try to improve. We take elephants to festivals after proper verifications.
TVS Motors Company soon will donate a vehicle specially designed to shift elephants to distant locations. Best food and traditional treatment are given to the elephants.
The mahouts are employees with class II salary of government staff. Problems may be there. But, one should try to see the positive sides too."
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