Mysuru: The Forest Department has stepped up security around the Dasara elephant team by placing the animals under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance at the Mysuru Palace premises as preparations for the 2026 Jumboo Savari gather pace.

As the elephants undergo training and acclimatisation exercises, authorities have installed 14 CCTV cameras at strategic locations around the Palace to monitor their movements, food supply and the surrounding areas. Public access to the elephant enclosure has also been restricted as part of enhanced safety measures.

14 cameras installed around elephant enclosures

The CCTV cameras have been positioned at important points near the areas where the Dasara elephants are housed and tethered. According to the Forest Department, the surveillance system will help officials keep a continuous watch on the animals and prevent unauthorised persons from approaching them.

Three locations, including the Kodi Someshwara Temple Yard, have been designated for tethering the elephants. Each of these locations is being monitored through CCTV cameras capable of providing clear footage of the animals and their surroundings.

Forest officials are also monitoring the live feeds to ensure that the prescribed safety procedures are followed. The surveillance is intended not only to track the elephants but also to strengthen crowd management and prevent situations that could put either the animals or people at risk.

Elephant training gains pace

The Dasara elephants have begun their training sessions in Mysuru as they prepare for their important role in the annual festivities. Their health and physical condition are being closely monitored during the training period.

The elephants traditionally form the centrepiece of the Jumboo Savari procession, making their preparation an important part of the Dasara arrangements. The animals have to become accustomed to the Palace surroundings, roads, crowds and other elements associated with the festival before the main procession.

Recent reports have also highlighted the health monitoring of the Dasara elephants. The animals underwent weight checks as part of preparations, with plans to provide diets suited to their individual health and nutritional requirements.

The first batch of nine Dasara elephants had received a traditional welcome near the Jayamarthanda Gate of Mysuru Palace on August 28, marking the beginning of this year’s preparations.

Public access restricted near elephants

The Forest Department has taken a stricter approach towards public interaction with the elephants this year. Entry into the elephant enclosure has been restricted, while personnel from the Police and Forest Department have been deployed along approach roads to prevent unauthorised access.

The CCTV network is also being used to ensure that people do not get too close to the animals. Officials are particularly focusing on preventing visitors from entering restricted areas or attempting to interact with the elephants without permission.

The move comes against the backdrop of an elephant-related incident at Dubare Elephant Camp earlier this year in which a Chennai-based woman tourist and elephant Jayamarthanda died. The Forest Department has subsequently decided to enforce Standard Operating Procedures more strictly around elephants, according to the Star of Mysore report.

The additional surveillance is therefore aimed at creating a controlled environment for the Dasara elephants while allowing their training to continue without unnecessary disturbance.

Elephants attract public attention during rehearsals

Despite the restrictions around the elephant enclosures, the Dasara jumbos continue to attract considerable public interest when they are taken out for training and rehearsals.

During one of the recent rehearsals, elephant Dhananjaya led the team along the route from the Palace premises towards the Government Ayurveda College. Large numbers of spectators gathered along the route as the elephants moved through parts of the city.

People along K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road and the stretch towards Ayurveda College reportedly offered flowers and bowed to the elephants as they passed. The scenes reflected the longstanding cultural significance attached to the Dasara elephants in Mysuru.

However, the presence of large crowds also makes crowd control an important component of the training exercises. Maintaining a safe distance from the elephants is essential, particularly when the animals are moving through busy city streets.

CCTV surveillance to strengthen safety protocols

The 24×7 surveillance system gives Forest Department personnel an additional tool to monitor the elephants beyond physical patrols. Live camera feeds can help officials identify unauthorised access, monitor the animals’ movements and respond quickly if an unusual situation develops.

Monitoring the kitchen and food-related activities is another important component of the system. The Forest Department is using the surveillance arrangements to keep track of the elephants’ food supply and ensure compliance with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures.

The increased focus on SOP compliance also reflects the delicate balance required during the Dasara season. While the elephants are a major attraction and an integral part of the festival’s traditional procession, their handling requires trained personnel, controlled access and careful monitoring.

Focus on safe Dasara preparations

With elephant training now underway, Mysuru is gradually moving into the intensive preparation phase for the 2026 Dasara celebrations. The animals will undergo further rehearsals and acclimatisation exercises before the main festivities.

The Forest Department’s decision to install 14 CCTV cameras and maintain round-the-clock surveillance indicates a stronger emphasis on safety and controlled interaction this year. Along with physical deployment of Forest Department and Police personnel, the surveillance network is expected to help officials maintain tighter oversight of the elephant team.

The arrangements also underline the importance of responsible public behaviour. While spectators may gather along designated routes to watch the rehearsals, maintaining distance and following instructions from officials will remain crucial to preventing avoidable incidents.

As the Dasara elephants continue their preparations, the Forest Department’s priority will be to ensure that the animals remain healthy and undisturbed while the traditional festivities move towards the grand Jumboo Savari.