Thrissur Pooram: Govt lifts curb on parading of elephants

KOTTAYAM: The government withdrew principal chief forest conservator’s circular curbing parading of elephants as part of the Thrissur Pooram. Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said this decision was taken as there should not be any interruption for the conduct of the pooram.

The main directive of the circular was that elephants should not be paraded from 10 am to 5 pm. The main parade of the pooram is held from 7.30 to 6. The order says the belly of the elephants taken for the parade should keep a distance of three metres and their heads of four meters. If this is followed, then they will not be able to parade the elephants for the kudamattom. Not only that the chief forest conservator has directed that an elephant should be paraded only for three hours on a single day.  

Minister Thiruvanchoor said the circular released without government’s consent has no legal validity. The Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms had lodged a complaint to the minister. The situation to release the order has been examined and an explanation has been sought from the official who signed the order. The government will take all steps for the smooth conduct of the Pooram. The minister said the government has entrusted chief wild life warden Harikumar to talk to the devaswoms.

With the Kollam temple tragedy bringing to focus safety issues, the Thrissur district administration imposed regulations including use of low decibel crackers. Also a control was imposed on parading of elephants. The pooram is on Sunday.

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