Tamil NaduSunday, 4 October 2026·The Hindu - Environment
Madras HC orders Tamil Nadu to frame SOP for elephants in temple festivals and religious events
The Madras High Court on October 1, 2026 directed Tamil Nadu to create an SOP and Joint Working Group for elephant participation in temple festivals and religious functions.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On October 1, 2026, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the participation of elephants in temple festivals and religious functions, and to place a draft before the court on October 30, 2026.
Key specifics
- The order was passed by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan.
- A Joint Working Group (JWG) must include the Chief Wildlife Warden, HR&CE Commissioner and expert veterinary officers.
- The SOP must require veterinary fitness certification, physical inspection and verification of microchips/DNA profiles.
- District level committees (DLCs) must grant approval before elephant participation in festivals.
- The court cited Article 51A(g) and ordered safety rules on loudspeakers, firecrackers, buffer zones and transport protocols.
Exam lens
Question type: High Court directions and constitutional duty. Key facts: October 1, 2026, October 30, 2026, Article 51A(g), JWG, DLCs. TNPSC may ask which departments and officers are to be included in the working group.