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1. The grievances in the present letter petition sent by Mr. M. N. Jayachandran resident of Mundamattam House, ISPCA Idukki, Thodupuzha are that Mr. Biji. P. Mathew has encroached the land of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and he is running various tourism activities including Elephant Ride, Musical Water Fountain using 10,000 Watts speaker system, Martial Arts Centre, Kathakali Centre, a Magic Academy and 6D Cinema Theatre and thereby causing air, noise and water pollution. Despite the ban of riding activity by the District Collector of Idukki, 3 elephant rides are functioning in 1 Km area of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The organizers of such rides are having 24 domesticated elephants which are suffering from various diseases.

II. The Deputy Director of Periyar Tiger Reserve reported that;

a) Elephant Safari Park run by Mr. Biji P Mathew at Anavachal is situated at the North Western Boundary of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is situated in Kumily village of Peermade Taluk.

b) The Elephant Safari Park is a not having permission from Animal Welfare Board or District Monitoring Committee of the District Collector, Idukki. Nine elephants having micro chips are being used for Safari activities at the center. The elephant except one owned by Mr. Biji Mathew are belonging to other owners in various Districts of the State of Kerala.

g) There is an incinerator being functioned at the Elephant Safari Park and is situated at a distance of 15 meters from the boundary of Tiger Reserve. It is observed that the incinerator was not put into function for the last five days. The smoke produced from incinerator will spread to adjoining areas including Tiger Reserve areas.

h) Waste water including Solid Waste generated from Elephant Safari Park and a cattle shed is found to be flowing into the Tiger Reserve forming a narrow canal. The Parading of elephant including Safari activities are being monitored by the Social forestry wing of Kerala Forest Department. Violation if any identified, action may be taken by District Monitoring Committee of Idukki District Administration.

Committee's findings and action taken thereon

1. An order has been issued from the office of the District Collector, Iudkki on 27/07/2019 to stop elephant riding activities for 9 elephant riding centers including Elephant Camp, owned by Mr. Biji P Mathew. Based on the order, the Tahsildar Peerumedu and ACF Idukki has been directed to take steps to ensure that illegal activities are not carried out using elephants at the above centre.

2. GPS survey reveals that the elephant Safari Park is situated outside the boundary of the Tiger Reserve and no encroachment into the Tiger Reserve are by the elephant Safari Park.