Mysuru: A representative from Mysuru royal family had approached the forest department to hand over all the six elephants.
DCF Karikalan said, “A month ago, a representative from Mysuru royal family had approached me to hand over all the six elephants. In turn, I have told them to give a proposal so that the same can be sent to Chief Wildlife Warden for his perusal who is the decision making authority in this regard. But till date, I have not received any proposal in writing from them. Few months ago, Suttur Matt had handed over two elephants to the forest department. On the instruction from CCF it was handed over to Koorgalli rescue centre. Already most of the camps are full of elephants.”
“For maintaining each elephant, one needs to spend atleast Rs 1 Lakh to Rs 1.5 Lakh every month. Most of them find it difficult to maintain the elephant. Apart from money, it is also the problem of mahouts and fodder. As of now in Mysuru Territorial Division we have seven elephants-six belonging to Mysuru royal family and one from Nanjangud temple.”
