Controversy Erupts Over Elephant Transfer from Assam to Delhi Temple Amid Animal Welfare Concerns

Guwahati: A contentious proposal to relocate Ranjita, a female elephant, from Assam to the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Greater Kailash, South Delhi, has been approved, igniting a fierce debate over animal welfare. This transfer comes six years after Delhi’s last captive elephant was rescued, following a directive from the Delhi High Court.The temple’s expansion plans include a designated 1.5-acre plot adjacent to an army camp for Ranjita’s housing. Temple authorities assure that all necessary arrangements are in place; however, animal welfare activists are raising alarms about the appropriateness of Delhi’s climate and infrastructure for an elephant.The Maa Baglamukhi Temple gained attention in 2018 for hosting a high-profile national security ritual, the Rashtra Raksha Mahayagya, which attracted notable political figures from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This event significantly raised the temple’s profile, contributing to its desire for expansion and the acquisition of Ranjita.The process to transfer Ranjita began in April 2024 when the Assam Forest Department received a request from the temple. This request falls under the purview of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) established by the Supreme Court in 2023, tasked with overseeing the welfare and rehabilitation of captive elephants in India. Retired Justice Deepak Verma leads the HPC.The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of South Delhi has inspected the proposed site for Ranjita and deemed it suitable. Sources indicate that the Delhi Forest Department raised no objections to the transfer. However, the Assam government is still deliberating the matter, with Chief Wildlife Warden Sandeep Kumar emphasizing the importance of consulting civil society representatives before making a final decision.Activists, particularly from the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO), are vocally opposed to the transfer. They have sent formal objections to both the Assam and Delhi wildlife authorities, asserting that the urban environment of Delhi is ill-suited for an elephant. “Delhi is simply not equipped to cater to the needs of a captive elephant,” stated Bharati Ramachandran, FIAPO’s CEO. She warned that the city’s extreme weather and urban layout could jeopardize Ranjita’s health.Furthermore, animal rights advocates point to the 2024 Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, which restrict transfers unless specific criteria are met, such as when the current owner can no longer provide care. FIAPO argues that these conditions are not satisfied in Ranjita’s case, asserting that the move could contravene these regulations.Concerns extend to the adequacy of the planned housing arrangement, with activists questioning whether a 1.5-acre space can provide a healthy environment for Ranjita, particularly if she lacks interaction with other elephants. The potential long-term mental and physical effects of her relocation are also a major worry.The controversy has broader legal implications as well, with FIAPO filing a writ petition in the Delhi High Court challenging certain provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 and the new Captive Elephant Rules. The court has directed FIAPO to submit recommendations on regulating such transfers, especially those involving religious institutions.Despite the growing dissent, temple management, led by Shiv Kumar Roy, remains silent on the motivations for acquiring Ranjita and her future care. The situation underscores the complex interplay between religious practices, urbanization, and animal welfare in India.As discussions continue, the involvement of the Supreme Court’s HPC in this matter could set a crucial precedent for future captive elephant relocations. For now, while preparations for Ranjita’s transfer proceed, the ongoing debate highlights the urgent need for balancing tradition and animal welfare in India.