[Thrissur Pooram 2024] Kerala High Court Mandates Six-Metre Distance Between Elephants And Crowd

The Kerala High Court has allowed for the revised instructions to be implemented during the Thrissur Pooram, including a minimum distance of 6 meters to be maintained between elephants when being paraded and artists who may be performing at the time.

The court also highlighted the extreme heat in Kerala while directing that the 'theevetti' (fire torch) shall be placed at a minimum 6 meters away from the elephants.

The Additional Advocate General had submitted that considering the impracticalities of the earlier circular issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and based on the directions issued by the court on the April 12, a new circular had been issued modifying the conditions.

A vacation bench consisting of Justice Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice P Gopinath directed that:

1. 1. A minimum of 6 meters to be maintained between elephants and the crowd during the Thrissur Pooram. Only a bare minimum number of persons who may be authorised by the organisers will be permitted to enter into the open area of 6 meters as above and that too strictly on need to basis and no other person shall be permitted to enter into this area. The court clarified that these directions shall not apply to persons who may have to stand immediately behind the elephants during the 'kudamattam' ritual. For ritualistic purposes, a 'Kuthuvilakku' alone will be permitted in front of the elephant carrying the deity. No 'theevetti' shall be used along with the 'kuthuvilakku' and the 'theevetti' shall be placed only at a distance of 6 meters as directed above.

2. 2. The court directed the Principal Chief Conservator (Wild Life) and Chief Wild Life Warden, Kerala to deploy necessary Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to deal with any untoward incidents. Elephant Squads/Volunteers (if any) engaged by the organizers shall only assist the RRT and will act only upon instructions of the RRT officials. The organizers - (Paramekavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms) shall share the details of persons engaged as volunteers/elephant squad with the Assistant Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Thrissur by 5.00 P.M on 18-04-2024. The court added that under no circumstances will devices such as a 'capture belt' be used by such Elephant Squads. No other equipment which will cause hurt to the captive elephant or maim it in any manner be used. The court for the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life) & Chief Wild Life Warden, Kerala, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Thrissur, The District Collector, Thrissur and the Commissioner of Police, Thrissur to ensure strict compliance with these directions.

3. 3. The organizers/mahouts are to ensure that the Elephants are under no fatigue and are not exposed to the hot sun for long. The court noted that they shall ensure that the Elephants are properly fed and watered.

The court was informed that the 100 participating elephants will only arrive in Thrissur on the morning of 18th April and as such, court directed that the process of verification and issuance of fitness certificates be done on the same day.

The court stated that the overall responsibility for implementing the directions shall be on the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life) & Chief Wild Life Warden, Kerala. Advocates Sandesh Raja and Suresh Menon have been asked to represent the court during the fitness tests and to submit inspection reports afterwards.

The court concluded that general instruction issued regarding the conduct of the 'Thrissur Pooram' and associated parading of Elephants will continue to operate.

Case Title: In Re: Bruno

Case Number: WP(C) 13204/ 2021

Click here to read/download the order