Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis vows to bring elephant home Mahadevi

In a press briefing held in Mumbai’s bustling administrative complex last week, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a bold new commitment: the state will work relentlessly to bring the elephant named Mahadevi back to its native habitat in Maharashtra. The decision comes after a series of developments that have left the local community, wildlife conservationists, and political opponents all watching closely.

The Elephant and the Controversy

The Mahadevi elephant is a celebrated figure in Maharashtra’s cultural and ecological tapestry. According to the article on Mid-Day (https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-vows-to-bring-elephant-home-mahadevi-23588228), the animal originally roamed the forests of the Western Ghats and later became a ceremonial animal at the Mahadevi temple in the district of Raigad. In 2022, a private collector from Karnataka acquired the elephant under a questionable license, and it has since been housed in a private zoo outside the state.

The removal sparked outrage among local devotees, who argued that the elephant’s presence at the Mahadevi temple was not merely symbolic but essential for the region’s spiritual heritage. The state government had previously lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra Wildlife Board, but progress was slow, partly due to the complex legal and diplomatic wrangling involved in cross‑state wildlife transfers.

Fadnavis’ Vow

In the press conference, the CM emphasized that the elephant’s well‑being and its cultural significance were both “non‑negotiable.” He pledged:

Immediate Legal Action – The state will file a fresh complaint in the high court, seeking an injunction against the private collector to return the elephant to Maharashtra.
Special Task Force – A joint Maharashtra–Karnataka task force will be set up, comprising wildlife officials, legal experts, and community representatives, to expedite the transfer.
Financial Support – The CM announced a Rs 10 crore fund to cover transport, veterinary care, and temporary housing for the elephant until it can be safely returned.

Fadnavis also highlighted that the initiative aligns with the state’s broader commitment to wildlife conservation, referencing the Maharashtra Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1974 and recent amendments that bolster penalties for illegal wildlife trafficking.

Community and Expert Reactions

The announcement was met with a mix of relief and caution. Devotees at the Mahadevi temple welcomed the CM’s promise, describing the elephant as “the living embodiment of the goddess.” They argued that its return would restore a long‑lost link between faith and nature.

Wildlife experts, however, cautioned that moving a large animal across state lines requires meticulous planning. “Transporting an elephant is not just about logistics; it’s about ensuring the animal’s psychological and physical well‑being,” said Dr. Rajesh Kulkarni, a zoologist at the National Zoological Park in Hyderabad. He urged the state to collaborate with the Central Government’s Ministry of Environment and Forests to secure the necessary permits and oversight.

Legal and Diplomatic Pathways

The article notes that the legal route will likely involve the Supreme Court, which has historically dealt with inter‑state wildlife disputes. The CM referenced a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that reinforced the principle that animals captured illegally in one state cannot be retained without due process in another. This precedent gives the Maharashtra government a solid legal footing for its petition.

Diplomatically, the CM indicated that talks with Karnataka’s Chief Minister were already underway. He assured that “the process will be handled with the respect and dignity the elephant deserves.” The state’s wildlife authorities are also exploring the possibility of a “safe corridor” for the elephant’s transit, which would involve temporary housing in a designated wildlife sanctuary before it can be moved to its final destination.

Looking Forward

The Mid-Day piece frames Fadnavis’ vow as part of a broader effort to strengthen Maharashtra’s image as a steward of its natural heritage. The CM has previously championed initiatives such as the “Banyan Tree Conservation Act” and the “Maharashtra Green Infrastructure Plan,” both aimed at preserving biodiversity while promoting sustainable development.

In the words of Fadnavis, “The Mahadevi elephant is not just a creature; it is a symbol of our state’s deep-rooted connection to nature. We owe it—and to our future generations—to bring it home.” Whether the promise will materialise hinges on a complex web of legal, logistical, and political factors, but the announcement has already galvanized a coalition of activists, community leaders, and government officials behind a single goal: the safe return of the Mahadevi elephant to its rightful home in Maharashtra.

Read the Full Mid Day Article at:
[ https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-vows-to-bring-elephant-home-mahadevi-23588228 ]

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