School children protest against Elephant rides

[Guest guest]

Jaipur (Rajasthan), Apr 23: Scores of school children gathered

outside Jaipur's Amer Fort today to urge tourists not to go on

elephant rides, as the animals are victims of maltreatment.

 

The children joined hands with several animal right activists and

shouted slogans against what they termed the 'inhuman treatment' of

elephants.

" Our fight is with the Government, which is promoting elephant rides

just to increase its revenue and promote its tourism. An elephant is

a wild animal and when other wild animals like lions, beers and

snakes have been rescued from this, then why are we promoting

elephant rides?, " asked Namrata, one of the protestors.

The students claimed that the condition of elephants worsened in

summer, as their owners could not provide them with enough water to

drink.

" They don't get water to drink and are being mistreated. This is not

fair. Even their schedules have been fixed - four rides in the day

and two at night, " said Tanmay Chaturvedi, a student.

Children distributed pamphlets among tourists trying to dissuade

them from taking the rides. While most tourists appeared confused,

several avoided the rides.

" After reading this, I have decided not to go on the ride just to

protect the elephants, " said Teresa, a foreign tourist.elephants are

not native to Rajasthan and were only introduced centuries back by

the states Rajput rulers.

The elephant ride, an integral part of the tourist itinerary, was

introduced way back in 1953 with a single elephant.

The 16th-century Amer Fort, a few miles from Jaipur, is an

attractive tourist destination for both domestic and foreign

visitors.