Elephant Ride At MLA Shankar Mandekar’s Felicitation Leads To Legal Action By Forest Department For Wildlife Protection Act Violation

The Forest Department has registered a case against the event organiser and the authorities of a Sangli-based temple for allegedly violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The Forest Department confirmed that Rahul Balkawade had organised an event on Sunday to felicitate Shankar Mandekar, the newly elected MLA from the Bhor constituency. The event featured an elephant ride for the MLA and the distribution of sweets. The unauthorised use of the elephant in the event has led to legal action.

The organiser had arranged for the elephant from Shri Ganpati Panchayatan Devasthan in Sangli. The forest department has filed a preliminary observation report (POR) against the event organiser from Urawade village in Mulshi and the elephant owner from Sangli district for illegally holding an elephant procession and violating the permission norms. After photos and videos of the MLA’s procession on elephant back went viral on social media, Pune District Honorary Wildlife Warden Aditya Paranjape noticed them and immediately alerted the Forest Department.

Pratap Jagtap, range forest officer, Pune Forest Department, informed, “According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, elephants enjoy special protection, and their use in public processions is subject to strict regulations. Bringing an elephant into crowded areas without proper authorization is considered a legal offence.”

However, despite these violations, the department has only booked the organiser and the elephant owner sparing Mandekar, whose direct involvement is evident.

Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Praveen NR, Chief Conservator of Forests, Pune said, “We are investigating the case and nobody will be spared; if found guilty. We have registered the case against the two under Sections 49, 51(1), 57, 50, and 48(1) of the Act.”