EnvironmentSunday, 13 September 2026·The Hindu - Environment
Assam elephants to Tamil Nadu: Supreme Court panel asked to examine legality of transfers
A conservationist urged the Supreme Court-appointed committee on September 11, 2026 to stop the transfer of four captive elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu and examine the legality of the move.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On September 11, 2026, conservationist Rohit Choudhury asked the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee to halt the transfer of four captive elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu and to probe the movement of a fifth elephant, Durga, to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Key specifics
- The four elephants named in the letter were Hiralal, Shiva, Rupsing and Bijuli.
- Eight-year-old Hiralal and six-year-old Shiva are listed for the Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai.
- Thirteen-year-old Rupsing is being transferred to Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple at Vaitheeswaran Koil in Nagapattinam.
- Five-year-old female Bijuli is being transferred to Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Gajashala in Kancheepuram.
- The letter said the Chief Wildlife Warden can grant travel permits only on the recommendation of the High-Powered Committee.
Exam lens
Environment and governance MCQ focus: elephant transfer rules, committee role, temple names, and age details. TNPSC may ask which committee must recommend travel permits and which Tamil Nadu temples were named in the transfer list.