Kerala Government challenges High Court’s decision

The Kerala Government’s plea to challenge the Kerala High Court’s direction to relocate a rogue elephant named ‘Arikomban’ from Munnar-Chinnakanal area to Parambikulam tiger reserve area was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Monday.

The bench, which was made up of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala, declined to get involved and noted that a committee of experts had recommended moving the elephant.

The State Government had decided to capture the rogue elephant after it had created havoc in the tribal settlements in Idukki district. Due to its special penchant for rice, it used to raid ration shops and homes for rice, and hence it got the name ‘Arikompan’ (rice tusker).

The State had decided to relocate the elephant to its elephant training centre in order to tame it after it had killed seven people and destroyed several homes. However, a group of animal rights activists moved the Kerala High Court, challenging this move. The relocation of the elephant was halted by a division bench of the High Court on the grounds that doing so would be cruel to the animal and force it to live out the remainder of its days in captivity. In order to investigate the situation, the High Court also assembled an expert committee.

The High Court agreed with the expert committee’s recommendation to relocate the elephant to a different forest at Parambikulam. This was then contested by locals who objected to the introduction of the dangerous pachyderm to their area. The Kerala High Court declined last week to reconsider its decision to direct the animal to be moved to Parambikulam. The court did rule that the State could move the elephant to the new location if it could find a suitable replacement within a week. But if it doesn’t, the animal needs to be moved to Parambikulam.

The Kerala Government then filed a petition challenging this decision in the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the expert committee’s recommendation and the High Court’s decision. The court observed that if experts have suggested something, the State cannot go over and above it.

Animal rights activists have been protesting against the State Government’s decision to capture the elephant and relocate it to its elephant training centre. They have argued that the elephant’s natural habitat is the forest and it should not be forced to spend its remaining life in captivity. They have also stated that the elephant’s aggression towards humans was a result of human intervention in its natural habitat.

The relocation of elephants has been a contentious issue in India, with conflicts arising between elephants and humans due to the loss of habitat and encroachment of forests. The Indian government has initiated several measures to mitigate these conflicts, including the creation of elephant corridors, relocation of elephants, and compensation to victims of elephant attacks.

In recent years, the Indian government has also increased efforts to protect the elephant population, which is listed as an endangered species. The government has launched several conservation programs, including Project Elephant, which aims to protect and conserve elephants and their habitats. The project also focuses on the welfare of captive elephants and their management.