Thrissur elephants get a jumbo relief

Billed the mother of all temple festivals, Thrissur pooram will be a tad muted this year. A new set of norms on sound pollution means that fireworks will add colour to the event, minus the deafening noise. Thrissur district authorities are also keeping a strict watch on the parade of elephants, another major draw of the festival.

Stringent rules have been laid down for the parade of over 30 caparisoned elephants. The elephants have to be given 12-hour rest before and after the show on Sunday.

There should be at least one-and-a-half metre gap between their bellies as the animals tend to get irritated when too many people crowd around them.

According to the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2003, the festival committees should obtain certificates from veterinary doctors declaring that the elephants were fit for parade. Elephants should not be made to walk on uneven roads for long without proper rest. They should not be transported more than 50 km in trucks.

The Kerala High Court had banned the parading of elephants from 11 am to 3 pm, but relented following pleas from temple authorities. Every festival season, at least a dozen people, including mahouts and spectators, are trampled by elephants.

Elephants are unpredictable and aggressive during mating season. A special diet is necessary to keep them cool. District collector VK Baby said the animals will be tested for any chemical substance administered to suppress symptoms of must.

Besides the district administration, officials from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation will also be on duty.  The new guidelines stipulate that the ratio of noise to colour in the fireworks should be 50:50.