Flags hoisted for Thrissur Pooram amid row over parading jumbos

Thrissur: Flags were hoisted for Thrissur Pooram in Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples, as well as in eight minor participating temples on Saturday, amid uncertainties over parading elephants at the pooram. Pooram falls this year on April 19. Hundreds of pooram fans participated in the flag hoisting rituals . Flags were hoisted first at Laloor Bhagavathy temple in the morning and the last at Naithilakkavu Amma temple in the evening.
Meanwhile, a circular issued by chief wildlife warden (CWW) detailing various precautions to be observed while parading elephants during festivals, created some uncertainties about the conduct of the pooram.Associations of elephant owners, mahouts and festival organizers protested against the directives in the circular stating that many of them were impractical.
As per the circular, melams and fireworks displays should not be conducted within 50m distance from elephants when they are paraded in the festival. The circular also made it clear that people should be kept away at least 3m from the elephants. The issue was resolved partially with govt representatives assuring to take steps to withdraw the circular. However, general secretary of Kerala Elephant Owners’ Federation P S Raveendranath said the owners are not aware of any concrete steps being taken by govt to withdraw the circular and have not taken a decision to send elephants for festivals, unless it is withdrawn.
We would review the decision if govt submits an affidavit in the high court withdrawing the circular, Raveendranath said.