Alok Hisarwala Gupta, founder of the Centre for Research on Animal Rights, has sounded the alarm in a letter to the Regional Deputy Director of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, calling for the cancellation of all applications for elephant transfers from the north east region of India to south Indian states, especially Kerala.
In his correspondence, Gupta pointedly raised concerns about Omanakuttan Pillai, accusing him of a prolonged history of wildlife crimes and currently on the move across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura, allegedly procuring elephants for Kerala-based owners participating in the Pooram Festival circuit.
“Pillai, with a criminal record spanning two decades, is actively engaged in wildlife offenses, sourcing elephants from Northeastern states,” the letter disclosed.
Under Section 43 of the Wildlife Protection Act, strict prohibitions are in place against the commercial transfer of elephants. The Wildlife Amendment Act 2022 permits non-commercial transfers only under specific circumstances where the owner cannot maintain the elephant adequately, and the transfer ensures better care.
Expressing apprehensions over the misuse of these limited exceptions, Gupta cautioned against wildlife criminals exploiting loopholes by camouflaging illegal transactions as benevolent “gifts.”
“Our concern is that traders like Omanakuttan Pillai are exploiting these loopholes, perpetuating the illicit elephant trade,” Gupta maintained in the letter.
He highlighted tactics employed by such traders, including stimulating demand for elephants, pressuring indigenous communities to capture wild elephants, and falsifying transactions as legal gifts to evade scrutiny.
Gupta cited a significant report by Chaturbhuja Behera, a former Wildlife Crime Control Bureau member, detailing the unlawful sale and transfer of live elephants from Assam.
Citing documented instances and media reports, Gupta underscored that since 2018, over 175 captive elephants have perished in Kerala, largely due to stress and maltreatment during the Pooram season.
“This alarming trend has exacerbated the demand for more elephants, with minimal improvement in their welfare,” Gupta added.
While the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has not yet responded publicly to Gupta’s allegations and proposals, the letter has sparked considerable concern among animal rights advocates and conservationists.
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