Team Herald
MARGAO: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made four recommendations on the use of captive elephants in Goa to prevent their abuse by their captors.
The order was in connection with a petition filed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and referred to a report filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on the SC’s instruction, involving two resorts, ‘Tropical Spice Plantation’ and ‘Jungle Book’.
In its report, AWBI stated that during an inspection of elephants used for joy rides at TSP, it was observed that the elephants were chained to the concrete floor, not fed a balanced ration, and not inoculated against tetanus, rabies and foot and mouth disease, which violated the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.
AWBI also pointed out that TSP had neither registered the elephants nor did it have the ownership certificates for the same. It also claimed that the inspectors found spiked hobbles that were used to inflict pain and induce fear in the elephants.
The AWBI counsel had raised three fundamental issues: after the Act came into force, whether any person could keep an elephant in his custody as the owner; assuming there was no prohibition on keeping an elephant, what rule should govern the upkeep of the animal; and who are the authorities to regulate the health, upkeep and the manner in which the elephants are to be treated and used.
After hearing the counsel, Justice Dipak Mishra and Justice Shiva Kriti Singh on Tuesday issued an order with four recommendations. They are: AWBI may advise the Chief Wild Life Warden (CWLW) to seize the elephants immediately and transport them to a rehabilitation centre, where they will not be chained; AWBI may initiate legal action against TSP for violating the law and not registering or obtaining permission to use the elephants for joy rides; AWBI may advise CWLW to ensure that the elephants are immediately provided veterinary care in an enriching environment to avoid further physical and mental damage; and AWBI may advise the CWLWs of Gujarat, Bihar and Andaman and Nicobar Islands to take disciplinary action against officials who issue illegitimate ownership certificates and other documents related to the transfer of custody and transport of elephants.
Hailing the verdict, WRRC said, “The order should go a long way in deterring all tourists, foreign and Indian, from visiting these centres, where they are openly abusing the elephants.”
