Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy has directed the Forest Department to urgently frame comprehensive guidelines for using captive elephants at public events, following an incident in which an elephant lost control during a Dasara procession in Shivamogga and damaged vehicles.
The minister issued the direction to the department’s Additional Chief Secretary after the incident involving Somanna, an elephant from the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp. The elephant was carrying an ambari during the Shivamogga Dasara procession on Wednesday, October 21, when it suddenly became difficult to control, creating panic among people gathered at the event.
Several cars and two-wheelers were damaged in the incident. Forest Department personnel intervened and brought the elephant under control. No deaths or injuries were reported, according to the report. The episode has prompted the department to examine how elephants are selected, trained and managed at events attended by large crowds.
Captive elephants under the care of the Forest Department and private parties are used in Dasara celebrations, fairs and religious programmes in different parts of Karnataka. These events can involve thousands of people, processions, fireworks, crackers and loud musical instruments. The minister said such conditions can cause distress to elephants and may lead to changes in their behaviour.
Under the proposed guidelines, organisers would have to obtain prior permission from the relevant authority at least one month before an event. Elephants taking part in processions or other public programmes would also be required to undergo a minimum of 20 days of training. The department has been instructed to enforce this requirement strictly.
Before granting permission, officials would have to establish that an elephant is physically and mentally fit for the proposed event. They would also need to assess whether it can cope with crowds, commotion and loud sounds. The guidelines are intended to ensure that these checks are completed before an elephant is allowed to participate in a public programme.
The minister has also called for safety measures covering both elephants and members of the public throughout an event. The proposed framework would therefore place responsibilities on event organisers as well as Forest Department officials, including advance permission, preparation, fitness assessment and on-site protection.
Reddy directed officials to issue clear and comprehensive guidelines without yielding to external pressure and to implement them strictly. The direction comes as Karnataka continues to use elephants in public cultural and religious events, making the management of crowds, sound and animal movement a recurring administrative responsibility for the Forest Department.
