The forest department says there is no protocol to formally inform the royal family about the selection of ‘Ambari’ elephants.

Prashanth was selected from a shortlist of five tuskers after a comprehensive evaluation of various factors and discussions with senior forest officials, DCF says. | Photo credit: File Photo

The Forest Department has clarified that there is no established practice of formally submitting a written communication or report to the former Mysuru royal family on the selection of the lead elephant for the Jamboo Savari, responding to concerns raised by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar about the family being kept in the dark about the selection.

In a detailed letter to the Deputy Commissioner, who was Special Officer Dasara, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysuru Wildlife Division, IB Prabhu Gowda, said that the selection of 54-year-old Prashanth as the golden elephant with Howdah was communicated to Ms Pramoda Devi Wadiyar over phone at 5.44 pm.

The officer alleged that neither the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysuru Wildlife Division nor the department had in the past given a formal written report on the selection to the palace or Ms. Wadiyar.

However, in view of the need for coordination and the safety of the elephants and the public, she was told key details of the selection, the paper said.

Prashanth was selected from a shortlist of five tuskers – Prashanth, Ekalavya, Sugreeva, Mahendra and Dhananjaya – after a comprehensive evaluation of various factors and discussions with senior forest officials with the approval of the relevant authorities, the DCF said.

The selection process was conducted in accordance with the prescribed departmental norms, the officer added.

The department also issued a press release on Oct. 13 informing Ms. Wadiyar of the selection to explain the process in detail and ensure that the information reaches the public.

The clarification comes amid concerns raised by Ms. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, who said in a statement on Sunday that for the first time in 45 years, the former royal family was kept in the dark about the selection of the ‘Ambari’ elephant.

She said the family was not informed about Prashanth’s selection until the last minute. She added that she had to approach the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) five days before the event to find out which elephant was meant to carry the golden howda. According to her, the delay in communicating the decision caused considerable and unnecessary stress.

Published – 28 Oct 2026 21:07 IST