Mysuru, Oct. 29 -- No established tradition of informing Palace on Ambari elephant selection: Forest Department

The Forest Department has clarified that there is no established practice of formally informing the Mysore Palace or members of Royal Family about the selection of the elephant to carry the Golden Howdah during Dasara.

However, to ensure coordination, the selection of Prashantha was conveyed to Pramoda Devi over phone, according to a report submitted by Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Mysuru Wildlife Division, Dr. I.B. Prabhugowda, to DC Reddy.

The report comes in response to Pramoda Devi's allegation that, for the first time in 45 years, the Royal Family had not been informed about the selection of the Ambari elephant....