Guwahati: A shipment of 12 elephants from Tripura to Gujarat has sparked controversy, raising concerns about proper transportation procedure and animal welfare.
The elephants are reportedly destined for the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), an organization backed by Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).
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RKTEWT, established in 2013, claims to provide lifelong care to animals and has received elephants from across India. RIL is also developing a large private zoo near its Jamnagar refinery complex in Gujarat.
The transportation of the elephants came to light when they crossed the Tripura border and reached Patharkandi in Assam‘s Karimganj district on February 18.
While the organization claims the elephants are “pets” licensed under the Tripura Wildlife Welfare Society, authorities remain tight-lipped on whether proper protocol was followed, including central and state government approvals.
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Adding to the concerns, the Tripura Forest Department officials reportedly expressed unhappiness with the transfer. Officials anonymously questioned the lack of transparency, the legality of interstate transportation, and the ultimate destination of the elephants, especially considering the recent tightening of the Wildlife Conservation Act.
The Act restricts the use of elephants for labor, processions, and even tourism. Additionally, it mandates specific guidelines for food, housing, and care.
Critics allege that proper procedures were not followed in obtaining the necessary approvals for inter-state transportation of wildlife. While a high-powered committee was formed to oversee such movements, it is claimed that due diligence was not exercised in this case.
There are concerns about the well-being of the elephants during the long journey and their future living conditions at the private facility in Gujarat.
Tripura, with a reported 74 pet elephants as per the 2022 Animal Census, has already seen 23 elephants shipped to Gujarat.
The Tripura High Court, in November 2022, had formed a committee to monitor the transportation of elephants from the Northeast to Gujarat, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding this practice.