Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate the transport and transfer of captive elephants. This framework mandates uniform documentation, veterinary checks, and physical verification for all intra-state and inter-state movements. Signed by Scientist C Aju Mathew George on October 5, 2026, the directive requires every elephant's DNA profile to be registered in the ministry’s electronic system before any transfer is authorized.
The mandate follows a public outcry regarding the transport of five elephants—Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal, and Bijuli—from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu. A coalition of 53 animal welfare organizations has formally requested that the Tamil Nadu government investigate the legality of these specific transfers. The groups cited concerns over discrepancies in birth dates and Ownership Certificates. They also flagged potential violations of welfare standards during the 3,000-kilometre transit, alleging the animals were restrained with ropes and driven with sticks.
“Before another young elephant is moved thousands of kilometres from Assam to a Tamil Nadu temple, the Government should establish exactly how these five came here — whether they were gifted or purchased, who owned them, and whether their ownership and age records stand up to scrutiny,” stated Arun Prasanna G. of People for Cattle in India.
Under the new SOP, owners must submit applications in Form I to a Deputy Conservator of Forests. The process includes mandatory veterinary examinations and site inspections of both current and proposed housing facilities. For inter-state moves, the recipient state must also conduct an independent review. Once approved, transfer permissions remain valid for only three months, while transport permits expire after one month.
Strict transit conditions now apply. Each elephant must travel with one mahout and one assistant. Veterinary clearance is required to ensure no signs of musth or infectious disease exist. Sedatives are strictly prohibited unless prescribed by a veterinarian. The government warns that any movement conducted without these permits or in violation of the 2024 Captive Elephant Rules will face legal action.
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