The Kerala High Court has ordered the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee (GDMC) to take immediate action to improve the living conditions of captive elephants at Punnathur Anakotta. The court emphasized adherence to the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, including maintaining clean and hygienic environments, providing adequate space, and ensuring access to clean water. Specific instructions include upgrading veterinary care, installing CCTV cameras, improving waste management, and discontinuing practices that contribute to dampness in tethering areas. The court also requested the Chief Wildlife Warden to inspect the facility and submit a report on the implementation of these measures. These directives followed a petition by wildlife filmmaker and biologist Sangita Iyer, who highlighted inadequate living conditions and insufficient space for the elephants.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on judicial intervention regarding animal welfare, focusing on legal mandates and administrative actions rather than ideological or partisan positions. It presents factual directives from the court without overtly favoring any side, making it balanced in framing.





