Its time to slow down. KBG, Can you do it? Temple elephants are living beings - please be kind to them

Its time to slow down. KBG, Can you do it? Temple elephants are living beings - please be kind to them

Once again, another temple festival season is due in Kerala. Especially, this is very prominent and predominant at central part of Kerala, specifically, in and around Trichur, Palghat and Ernakulam districts.

This is where we get to see, elephants being transported from one point to another to serve the requirement of temple festivities. This happens, more frequently and at fierce pace, during the March /April/May months, when temple festivals in and around Trichur Districts happens.

It is at this time, that elephants, are transported from far away places by agents to meet requirements of various temples.

Unfortunately, at times, these pachyderms have to silently suffer long journey by truck, who drive really fast to reach from one point to another and then get dressed up to be the focal point and then again move on to another destination.

I humbly request our government, necessary authorities to initiate the following rules:

•          To make sure, the elephant is loaded to a truck in the best convenient and safest possible way.
•            To make sure, the elephant is loaded to a truck in the best convenient and safest possible way.
•          To make sure, the elephant is transported from one place to another in a safe speed, say less than 40 kms per hour.
•     To make sure, the elephant gets sufficient time to relax before it is decorated and dressed for a long stay for a procession or festivity associated.
•      To make sure, the elephant gets sufficient time to relax before it is loaded once again to its next destination. 
•      To make sure, it gets sufficient time to walk and stretch its muscles and body, before it has to travel or stand silently for any festivity. 
•      To make sure, it gets quality food and water at each of the above point.
•      Absolutely, do not allow, Flash photography at close proximity where elephants are lined up for festivities. 
•              Last and most important, to make sure, they get sufficient rest between one programme and the next.    
•      These activities, should be strictly logged, monitored and controlled by respective Devaswom Officers, Forest and District Collector Level Officers to make sure, they are well taken care and protected.

For your information, am very well sure, the way they are transported from one point to another is the most cruel manner. The speed at which these trucks are driven to reach the next destination, I am sure, even some human being sitting at the carriage space, may not be able to withstand. To add more, if you want to watch and view by yourself, the way they are loaded to a truck, it is really pathetic. God save them and bless them to be silent as ever.

The scenes I witnessed during, just before the last Arattuppuzha pooram was horrendous.  I felt extremely bad for these silent beings and feel it should not be the case in this festive season.

I kindly request honorable Kerala Government and Ministers concerned, both Devaswom and Forest Minister, especially, Sri K B Ganesh Kumar to make a note and issue necessary guidelines to the use and exhibition of tamed / temple elephants in Kerala for festivities.

(photos by Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi)

Watch this video, taken out from YouTube, thanks to Teetus P Samu (author of this video):

Imagine you are in its position to climb over to a cabin of an 8 ft heavy load truck!!

Nothing more to say, government and the ministry, and ministers have to act, well before this festival season, so that NO DEATH HAPPENS due to an elephant attack and NO TEMPLE ELEPHANT is treated or over worked during this season.

I sincerely hope all elephant lovers join me too in this campaign.

With due regards,

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi