Forest Minister AK Saseendran said the government would consider appealing the High Court’s decision regarding elephant parades after a detailed review of the order.

The minister stressed the need to organize festivals like Thrissur Pooram without any hindrance, even while taking measures to ensure the safety of elephants and people participating in the events. “The government will consider the practical aspects before deciding on the next step.”

The minister said the government had organized a workshop in Thiruvananthapuram on November 20 to discuss the draft rules on management of elephants in captivity. Officials and other stakeholders, including representatives of various women demigods, elephant owners, NGOs and legal experts, would attend the workshop. “The issues discussed at the workshop and the results will be taken into consideration before deciding on further action by the government,” he added.