Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam forest officials want five more captive elephants sent to temples in Tamil Nadu. A September 4, 2026, document signed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rakesh Kumar Dogra details the plan. The list includes a five-year-old female named Bijuli, owned by Hiteswar Moran. Her microchip number is 0008176103. She is slated for the Shri Kamakoti Gajashala in Kanchipuram.
Four other elephants are on the manifest. Durga, a five-year-old female owned by Punya Pegu, is headed for the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Two males, eight-year-old Hiralal and six-year-old Shiva, are slated for the Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Their owners are Samsul Hoque and Mukheswar Moran, respectively. Finally, 13-year-old Rupsing, owned by Piyal Moran, is designated for the Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple in Nagapattinam.
The state has not finished these transfers yet. District committees must conduct physical inspections of the destination facilities. They have 15 days to file reports under the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024. Officials must also submit Form III recommendations to confirm the sites meet management standards.
Tension is high. Locals in Golaghat recently intercepted another elephant named Gayatri while she was allegedly being moved to Uttar Pradesh. The Aranya Suraksha Samiti has questioned these transport procedures. They have also raised allegations regarding Special Chief Secretary M.K. Yadav. Conservationists demand strict compliance with federal laws, stating: "They have also sought compliance with the procedures prescribed under the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 before such transfers are carried out."
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