With the Thrissur Pooram just around the corner, the Forest department seems to have bowed to pressure from temple committees and elephant owners to relax its regulations concerning the use of firecrackers within a 50-metre radius of captive elephants during festivals.
The move follows vehement criticism raised by various sections against a circular issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden on the maintenance of captive elephants chosen for parades during the ongoing festival season.
Besides the prohibition of firecrackers, percussion instruments and flambeaus within a distance of 50 metres from elephants, the circular had also mandated a 3-metre distance between people and elephants during parades. It also banned the use of capture belts and elephant goads, and outlined requirements for fitness certificates issued by panels of three veterinary doctors at least 12 hours before festivals.
