Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar Khandre said here on Monday that the Dasara elephants will be provided with commando security to prevent public from getting too close to them.

He was speaking to media persons after hosting lunch to the mahouts and their family members looking after the Dasara elephants.

The Minister said there was an increase in the number of people making reels or photos by holding elephant trunks or tusks and posting them online. In the process, they were endangering themselves and the lives of others, said Mr. Khandre, pointing out that despite training, animal behaviour was unpredictable and was fraught with risk.

“Hence, clear instructions have been issued prohibiting the public from going near the Dasara elephants. Those violating this have been fined and commandos have also been deployed to prevent the public from approaching elephants,” he said.

The Minister referred to the September 18 incident in which a woman created a reel by sneaking past the officials late in the night and posed before the elephants. Notices have been issued to the officials and staff concerned as it was tantamount to dereliction of duty, said Mr. Khandre.

Extolling the contribution of the mahouts and kavadis in looking after the elephants, the Minister said they are vested with the responsibility of handling the Dasara jumbos, which are the main attraction of Mysuru Dasara and the Jamboo Savari.

The Minister said they also play a vital role in human-wildlife conflict situations as the Forest Department depend on the trained elephants to capture the rogue ones. During such times the camp elephants are accompanied by the mahouts and kavadis who know their behaviour better than anyone else, Mr. Khandre added, noting that these elephants are also deployed in combing and capturing tigers in conflict situations.

Praising the mahouts and the kavadis of the State in training the elephants, the Minister said their skills are unmatched and even neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh and Goa often request the services of Karnataka elephants that are accompanied by their mahouts and kavadis.

The knowledge of taming, capturing, controlling, and caring for elephants runs in their blood and cannot be taught through textbooks or formal education, he said.

“While this skill is hereditary, the State also provides professional training from experts, further sharpening their abilities,” he said and promised to discuss their demands pertaining to revised wages with the Chief Minister.

Memorial for Arjuna

Referring to the memorial for elephant Arjuna, the Minister said the memorial at Yasalur will be inaugurated later this month.

Arjuna was the lead elephant who had carried the golden howdah eight times besides being a regular at Mysuru Dasara for many years before his retirement. However, he died in December 2023 during an operation to capture rogue elephants, plunging his admirers in grief. The government has already built a memorial for Arjuna at Balle camp in Nagarahole where he used to stay. The memorial at Yasalur is at the site of his death, said the Minister.