elephant polo HIS Jaipur

[Guest guest]

Help in Suffering has watched with surprise as much unfair criticism has taken

place on the internet regarding Help in Suffering's support of the Cartier

Alternative Elephant Polo to be held in Jaipur on 18th November.

 

 

Unfortunately some mischievous information has been put about that HIS is

organising this event. In fact HIS will be in attendance to monitor the event in

return for ongoing funding from Elephant Family which has enabled us to achieve

many welfare benefits for the elephants of Jaipur.

 

 

Working with the Rajasthan Government, so that all changes will be of a

permanent nature, the following has been achieved:

 

a) A 24-hour emergency service with mobile clinic headed by vet is

available to treat or help any elephant in distress within the city of Jaipur,

the only one of its kind in India.

b) The use of the ankush (the hooked iron goad) used to ‘control’ the

elephants, has been banned in Jaipur. The government is currently planning to

place video cameras at Amer where elephants congregate and any violation of this

rule will result in a fine. We believe this is the first time in India that such

a regulation has been introduced. To date eighty percent of elephant owners have

stopped using the ankush and we expect one hundred percent co-operation in the

near future.

c) Crippled and mistreated elephants have been refused permission to work

for the Tourist Department and have been removed permanently from their

employment.

d) Elephants previously stood in burning sun both in their private quarters

and at Amer Fort waiting to take the tourists for rides. Now shade has been

provided both at Amer and by owners in the pilkhanas.

e) Living conditions for elephants have been improved, and regular

inspections are taking place. If living quarters do not come up to standard,

action is taken against owners.

f) Previously the elephant rides were unlimited and elephants were

labouring on burning roads in 40-45’c heat during the summer months. The

elephants are now only permitted to take two rides each in the early morning

during the summer months and five rides when the climate is suitable for

elephants.

g) The return downhill ride, carrying four people, which was so difficult

for the elephant, has now been banned.

h) The number of persons allowed to ride on the howdah has been reduced

from 4 to 2

i) Traffic reflectors have been distributed to prevent some of the

terrible accidents which occurred when elephants were travelling on the roads at

night

j) An office has been opened at the historic site of Amer by HIS/ef and

notices placed to encourage tourists to report any cruelty they see inflicted on

any elephant

k) The Rajasthan Government is in process of licensing all mahouts and of

ensuring they receive a proper salary so that the constant changing of mahouts

will be avoided and a proper bonding between elephant and human can be

maintained. Unacceptable cruelty by a mahout will result in the loss of

licence.

l) In Jaipur all the elephants have now been identified by the Forest

Department, thus ensuring that their movement can be controlled and policed.

m) Elephant Family and HIS are developing a new, lightweight howdah, which

will totally stop damage to the elephant’s spine.

 

It has taken six years to bring about the support and gain the confidence of

the mahouts and elephant owners. This has not been an easy situation given their

traditions. Now they have seen the need for change and have committed to work

for the above principles, thus ensuring that the change is coming willing from

within, rather than being authoritatively imposed, and therefore resulting in a

permanent solution.

 

None of this would have been achieved without the financial backing and huge

time commitment of Elephant Family.

 

Therefore we wish to clarify that, Help in Suffering, as the leading NGO in

Jaipur which has done so much work for the elephants, was called upon by

Elephant Family to monitor the event, and we have responded to their request.

 

 

Christine Townend.

Help in Suffering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr.Naveen Pandey (B.V.Sc & A.H.)

Vet-in-Charge

Darjeeling Goodwill Animal Shelter

Kalimpong, Distt.Darjeeling

West Bengal, INDIA

PIN 734301

 

Phone +91-98320-27208

 

http://www.his-india.com/

 

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