Forest department officials will select a suitable elephant to carry the golden Howdah this year: Ramalinga Reddy

Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy | Photo credit: File Photo

Forest department officials will select a suitable elephant to carry the golden howdah during the Vijayadashami processions in Mysuru this year.

To questions from reporters in Mysuru on Friday, Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy said department officials will recommend which elephant is best suited to carry the golden howdah after the elephants undergo training.

Abhimanyu, who had successfully carried the golden howdah for the past six years, was relieved of Dasara duties after completing 60 years.

The first batch of nine elephants arrived at the Mysuru Palace on Friday. The final selection of the elephant to carry the Ambari, or golden howdah, will be made after the training phase is complete, Mr. Reddy said.

The Hanur incident

Asked about the death of three people in a recent meeting with forest department officials in Hanur, Mr Reddy said the department would investigate violations of the Wildlife Act, while the government handed over the investigation into the riots after the incident to the CID.

The CID will investigate the destruction of anti-poaching camps, damage to buildings belonging to the forest department and torching of vehicles following an encounter in the forests.

Mr. Reddy said the judicial inquiry entrusted to the Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar was a separate matter. The Deputy Commissioner’s report will be submitted to the Chief Secretary, who will then forward it to the Chief Minister. A magisterial investigation, he clarified, is different from a CID investigation.

Responding to a question about fear among the forest staff, Mr. Reddy said there was no need for the department personnel to be afraid and assured them of protection. He said he had spoken to the Deputy Inspector General of Police as well as the Inspector General of Police to ensure their safety.

“If the world is to survive, the forests must survive,” he said, adding that the forest department personnel should not cause any trouble or inconvenience to the general public.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 20:10 IST