Sources in the department said the incineration process went on for seven hours after it began at 9:30am. A private incinerator in Gummidipoondi, which burns hazardous waste for the Pollution Control Board, was chosen for the procedure. It was carried out in the presence of wildlife warden Chennai Manish Meena, a court-appointed amicus curiae, forest rangers, and representatives from the local body.Principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra told TOI that such incinerations would be a regular process from now on, if the dept got all clearances. “As and when we are able to get more pieces of ivory duly certified as encumbrance-free and free from all legal proceedings, incineration will be carried out,” he said.In its order, the court also urged the department to tabulate all details of ivory stocks and submit them before it on Jan 23. Following Saturday’s incineration, a wildlife official said details on the quantity burnt and the entire proceedings would be submitted before the court. “After that, we will officially release the details to the public,” the official said.
