Four Assam Elephants' Visit to Gujarat, Halted

Guwahati, June 27, 2019:

Wildlife crusaders will be stoked to learn that the transportation of four elephants from Tinsukia district of Assam to Gujarat for participation in the Annual Rath Yatra has been temporarily suspended.

The decision was taken by Assam Forest department on Thursday after a protracted legal battle.

Earlier, the Veterinary Experts’ Committee (VEC) on Wednesday, in an indirect indication, opposed the transport of four elephants from Tinsukia Assam to Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

The VEC in a report regarding the transport of the jumbos has clearly stated that elephants’ body temperature is 37-degree centigrade and their comfort zone is 25-26 degree Celsius and that their transportation (by any means) to a hotter region may increase the possibility of heat strokes in elephants.

It may be mentioned that a PIL by an NGO has been filed in Gauhati High Court to restrain Assam from dispatching of four elephants from Tinsukia of Assam to Ahmedabad in Gujarat for participating in the annual Rath Yatra festival to be held there on July 4, 2019.

The PIL has been filed by ‘Avinava Prayash’ an NGO of Guwahati, represented by its Secretary, Urmi Mala Das ( an Animal Rights Activist, freelance writer, and blogger) and Nandini Baruah (Fashion Designer and runs ‘Purr Paws Foundation’ for street animals at Guwahati).

Kaliabor MP Gaurav Gogoi had also appealed to the central government to intervene into the matter. He wrote to the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI, Prakash Javedkar to take immediate step to stop the transportation.

Inside Northeast’s Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats. We need your held to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!