The transfer of five-year-old elephant Durga from Assam’s Manas National Park to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has triggered concern and criticism in Assam, with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi questioning the circumstances surrounding the relocation.
Gogoi alleged that Durga was taken out of Assam on September 7 without adequate information being made public. He questioned the decision to move the elephant outside the state without informing the people of Assam and called for greater transparency from the Assam government and the Manas National Park authorities. Reports have stated that Durga was transported from Manas to Tamil Nadu during the night.
Gogoi also alleged that Durga was subsequently sold to the Meenakshi Amman Temple for monetary consideration. He raised questions over the elephant’s age, origin and ownership and sought clarification on whether all applicable rules were followed during the transfer. These claims have not been independently established, while reports indicate that the Tamil Nadu Forest Department had issued permission for Durga’s transfer to the Madurai temple.
The Congress leader further claimed that Durga’s case was not isolated and referred to reports that more than 1,200 elephants from Assam are currently outside the state under similar circumstances. He questioned the lack of public information regarding the movement of Assam’s elephants and called for accountability from the authorities.
Gogoi demanded that the Assam government and the Manas administration release all relevant details concerning Durga’s transfer. He specifically sought information about her age, origin, ownership and current place of residence. He also called for Durga to be brought back safely to Assam at the earliest.
The controversy has placed renewed focus on the circumstances under which elephants are transferred from Assam to other states and the need for clarity regarding the permissions and arrangements involved in such transfers.
