THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A rehabilitation centre for aged captive elephants has been planned in Kerala, state forest minister Binoy Viswam said on Thursday.

An ideal forest spot would be identified soon for setting up the centre, to be linked with eco-tourism, Viswam informed the state assembly on Thursday.

Taking note of incidents of elephants turning violent during festivals, a scheme to impart scientific training to mahouts has been drawn up, Viswam said in a written reply.

The Wildlife Department had taken steps for effective implementation of Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance Rules), which had laid down norms for upkeep of the jumbos.

The owners of elephants had been instructed to obtain health certificates from veterinarians before taking the animal for festival parades.

As part of the elephant census, the owners had been asked to register their jumbos with the respective district administrations.

A scheme of implanting microchips behind the ear of elephants containing their physical details had also been implemented.