NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa, on Thursday, directed the Director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Department, or his nominee, to take an urgent decision on whether the elephant named Manik can be transported from Goa to Vantara in Gujarat for medical treatment.
The direction came on an application moved in an extraordinarily urgent situation by M/s Jungle Book Resort, which stated that it was fighting to save the life of the 59-year-old elephant.
“If in the opinion of the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Department of Goa Government or his nominee, such journey is possible, then all the authorities concerned shall issue transit pass for such transport irrespective of whether passes are required to be issued on a holiday considering that there are a few public holidays starting from tomorrow (December 19),” said the Division Bench comprising Justices Sarang V Kotwal and Ashish S Chavan.
The HC said the entire process should be carried out on an urgent and priority basis.
Manik is suffering from acute arthritis and is currently critically ill. It is the case of the applicant that he has been looking after Manik since 2009 and that when the elephant fell seriously ill, all possible efforts were made within available resources in Goa by approaching veterinary doctors from the Forest Department and Animal Husbandry Department.
The High Court observed that Manik has only a slender fighting chance of survival and that the applicant sincerely wished to make a final attempt to save his life. The applicant submitted that Vantara has a specialised ICU ambulance for elephants, which is fully padded, has air suspension and is equipped with lifts.
The applicant further submitted that while the final decision could be taken by the Director of Animal Husbandry, as suggested by the additional government advocate, the Director should also consider the opinion of doctors accompanying the ICU ambulance from Vantara.
The HC said, “We have considered these submissions in the background of the above facts, it is important to facilitate Manik’s transportation for his medical treatment at Vantara, if he is able to sustain the journey. It is for the Department of Animal Husbandry of Goa to issue requisite NOC for transportation of Manik to Vantara to ensure proper treatment.”
The High Court also said, “For that purpose, as suggested by the Additional Government Advocate, the final call can be taken by the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Department of Goa Government or his nominee with consultation of the doctors of Vantara. As far as the apprehension of possible violation of the orders passed in the past are concerned, additional government advocate had produced three orders for our perusal.”
