Guwahati: Fresh concerns over the movement of elephants from eastern Arunachal Pradesh have emerged after a convoy comprising two specialised elephant transport containers and two support vehicles carrying a veterinary team, reportedly linked to Vantara, the Ambani family owned private wildlife facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, entered the state through the Assam-Arunachal interstate check gate at Dirok on Sunday.
One of the elephant transport containers bore registration number GJ 10 1-17196. The convoy later proceeded towards Chongkham in Namsai district. According to local sources, the elephants are to be loaded from areas near the Manabhum and Tengapani Reserve Forests, drawing the attention of wildlife activists and conservation groups.
The convoy’s arrival has renewed scrutiny because similar specialised transport vehicles were used during the relocation of several elephants from the Chongkham area earlier, an exercise that had triggered criticism from wildlife organisations and demands for greater transparency.
The latest convoy has once again fuelled speculation over a fresh elephant translocation exercise, although no official confirmation regarding its purpose was available till the filing of this report.
A senior wildlife activist from Tinsukia, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that obtaining statutory approvals and transport clearances for elephants would be difficult without the support of influential individuals enjoying political patronage.
The activist further alleged that a recently elected local panchayat leader, described as a close aide of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, is involved in the alleged trade. According to the activist, elephants were allegedly purchased for around Rs 30 lakh each and later sold to Vantara for nearly Rs 70 lakh after the required documentation was arranged.
The activist also alleged that the elephants were first captured from the wild and kept in captivity before documents were allegedly prepared showing them as privately owned animals, enabling their transportation.
A dumper driver who regularly transports minor minerals along the Chongkham-Alubari route said Mabira village, near the Paya Reserve Forest, falls along a traditional elephant corridor connecting the Sunpura landscape.
He alleged that the locality has long been known for elephant trapping, with trained captive elephants reportedly used to capture wild elephants before they are domesticated and transported outside the region.
Another source familiar with developments in the area claimed that the availability of captive elephants for sale has declined considerably, raising concerns that wild elephants could become increasingly vulnerable to illegal capture.
A separate source in Namsai alleged that several experienced local mahouts from indigenous communities had been recruited by Vantara and taken to its facilities to assist in elephant care and management because of their traditional knowledge and familiarity with elephants native to eastern Arunachal Pradesh.
The source further claimed that a team associated with Vantara had recently visited the Chongkham area along with local community leaders. During the visit, the team reportedly offered donations at the Parshuram Kund Temple to mark the birth anniversary of a member of the Ambani family.
While the purpose of the visit could not be independently established, wildlife activists said its timing, coupled with the arrival of the convoy, had intensified speculation over a possible fresh elephant relocation exercise.
Wildlife activists have urged the Forest Department and other competent authorities to disclose the purpose of the convoy and ensure that any wildlife handling or translocation complies with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, prescribed scientific protocols and statutory procedures.
They have also renewed their demand for an independent investigation into the alleged elephant trade and the process through which elephants are acquired and transport permissions are granted.