An elephant named Durga has been shifted from Assam’s Manas National Park to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, prompting questions from wildlife conservation groups over her age, ownership history and the circumstances surrounding her transfer.
According to reports, Durga reached Madurai at around 1.30 am after being transported from Assam. She was reportedly moved from Manas National Park on September 7 under the supervision of park director Sonali Ghosh.
The Aranya Suraksha Samiti has questioned the manner in which the transfer was carried out and demanded that records relating to Durga’s origin, age, ownership and transfer be made public.
Reports suggest that Tamil Nadu authorities sent a communication to the Manas National Park and the Assam Forest Department at around 1.30 pm on September 4. The Assam authorities reportedly responded by 9 pm the same day, after which arrangements were allegedly made to move Durga to Tamil Nadu.
Forest Department records reportedly mention Durga’s age as five years and six months. However, the Aranya Suraksha Samiti has disputed the recorded age and called for verification of her history in the Guijan area of Tinsukia.
According to the organisation, Durga was brought to Manas by a person identified as Punya Pegu of Guijan. The group has questioned whether an elephant of the recorded age could legally have been separated from its mother.
The organisation has sought examination of Durga’s veterinary records from Tinsukia to establish her actual age and trace her ownership and movement history. It has also raised questions about whether the transfer complied with applicable wildlife protection regulations.
The Aranya Suraksha Samiti has further alleged that a financial transaction was involved in Durga’s transfer and claimed that she was sold to Madurai under the direction of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Binay Gupta. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The organisation has demanded that the Assam Forest Department and the state Forest Minister make public all documents concerning
