The plan to move Ranjita, a female elephant from Assam to the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Greater Kailash South Delhi has been granted. The temple administrators have declared that all required measures have been made. But the animal welfare activists have expressed strong objection. According to animal protection officials, Ranjita does not thrive in Delhi’s climate.
As part of the temple’s expansion, a 1.5-acre plot adjacent to a local army camp has been set aside for the elephant’s quarters. Ranjita was relocated from Jorhat, Assam in April 2024. The HPC is led by retired Justice Deepak Verma. The DFO of South Delhi, who received the initial request to move Ranjita, inspected the site at the army camp farm, which had been designated as Ranjita’s home. The Delhi Forest Department made no objections to the proposed transfer.
The Assam administration is still reviewing the situation before making a final judgment. Meanwhile, the temple administration has proceeded with a group of animal rights activists who have expressed major concerns about the transfer. Bharati Ramachandran stated that Delhi is just not suited to meet the needs of a captive elephant. Ranjita’s health will most likely suffer as a result of the city’s harsh weather and metropolitan landscape. Animal rights activists also point to the 2024 Captive Elephant Rules, which specify the criteria for captive elephant exchanges between states. These regulations state that transfers are only permissible under particular circumstances.
