Guwahati, April 26: A high-power Committee (HPC) was appointed by the Supreme Court, which recommended shifting of more elephants and other animals to other states. This comes after animal rights organizations and wildlife activists expressed concern over the transportation of elephants to Gujarat from the Northeast. The Supreme Court has appointed a committee to look after the cases.
The HPC-led by Justice (Retired) Deepak Verma in its report, recommended the transfer of more elephants and other animals from Northeast to the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Trust in Gujarat’s jamnagar supported by Reliance Industries Limited.
Reportedly, 20 elephants from Namsai of Arunachal were found shipped to Gujarat through Assam following police escort with trucks laden with elephants. Over 50 elephants, mostly from Arunachal Pradesh, have been transported to Gujarat through Assam since last year.
The Tripura high court on November 7 last year constituted the HPC which was headed by former Supreme Court judge justice Deepak Verma (retd) while considering a plea on transporting elephants from the Northeast to Gujarat.
“The facilities, area and infrastructure of the (Radha Krishna Temple Elephant) Trust is unlike any other in India and in fact, it is one of its kind in the world. That being said, it would only make sense that more Elephants and other animals be transferred here who are in need of rescue, and require aid and/or treatment of any kind. The area of the Trust is quite big and can easily accommodate more animals in need of help,” the report stated.
In March 2023, hearing a petition, the Supreme Court expanded the scope of the HPC dealing with the transfer and transportation of elephants bred in captivity in the Northeast, giving it a pan-India mandate to deal with any approval or grievance regarding the transfer, import into India, or procurement of wild animals by any rehabilitation centre or zoo in the country.
“The Trust must consider undertaking rescue missions and operations for other types of animals that are used in circuses or street shows or street begging or others seized etc. The Director General of Forests, Head of Project Elephant, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority, Chief Wild Life Wardens of Gujarat, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh may consider transferring any distressed or captured animal to the said Trust, provided the Trust undertakes to take care of the said animal before any transfer takes place,” the report added.
