The Kerala High Court is set to draft interim guidelines aimed at preventing cruelty to elephants used in temple festivals. In a recent session, the court urged all involved parties—including elephant owners, animal welfare organizations, and temple committees—to submit suggestions by November 4. These draft guidelines will govern elephant parades until permanent regulations are established.

The court’s intervention follows rising concerns over the treatment of captive elephants, who are often paraded with their front legs tightly bound, limiting their ability to shift weight comfortably. The bench questioned whether a human could tolerate standing in such conditions for even a few minutes, drawing attention to the need for humane treatment of these animals.

The guidelines are expected to address various welfare measures, including mandatory rest periods between festivals, appropriate diets, and specified transportation methods. Other requirements may include maintaining a minimum distance between elephants during parades, ensuring access to water, and setting a maximum time limit for parading. The court emphasized that the responsibility for care lies with the exhibitors, not the elephant owners, to guarantee animals are adequately nourished and hydrated. 

This case, initiated suo motu, comes amid ongoing debates about the ethics of elephant parades, notably during events like Thrissur Pooram, where elephants are central but often subject to harsh conditions.