Maintain gap of six metres between elephants and artists performing at Thrissur Pooram: Kerala HC
A Division Bench of the High Court of Kerala on Monday ordered that a minimum distance of six metres be maintained between elephants being paraded and percussion or other artists performing during the Thrissur Pooram festivities.
The Bench comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Gopinath P. also directed that Theevetti (fire display) be placed at a minimum of six metres from the elephants. The court ordered that only a bare minimum number of persons authorised by the organisers be permitted to enter the open area of six metres and that too strictly upon requirement.
The court clarified that the above directives shall not be applied to persons who may have to stand immediately behind the elephants during the Kudamattam ritual.
For ritualistic purposes, a Kuthuvilakku (traditional lamp) alone will be permitted in front of the elephant carrying the deity. No Theevetti shall be used along with the Kuthuvilakku.
Rapid response teams
The court directed the Principal Chief Conservator (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala, to deploy rapid response teams (RRT) to deal with any untoward incident. Elephant squads or volunteers (if any) engaged by the organisers shall only assist the RRT and will act only upon instructions of the RRT official.
It ordered the organisers, Paramekavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms, to share the details of volunteers or elephant squads with the Assistant Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Thrissur by 5 p.m. on April 18.
Under no circumstances will devices such as a ‘capture belt’ be used by such elephant squads. The organisers or mahouts were directed to ensure that the elephants are not fatigued and are not exposed to the hot sun for long. The court also directed that the verification and issuance of fitness certificates for elephants being brought for the Pooram be done on April 18.