(IN): Jumbo village or white elephant

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080701/jsp/frontpage/story_9486537.jsp

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**Jumbo village or white elephant*

* - Experts fear water scarcity could force closure of hamlet off Jaipur*

RAKHEE ROY TALUKDAR

 

*Jaipur, June 30: *A jumbo controversy has erupted over a village for

elephants, which, experts say, could turn into another Fatehpur Sikri.

 

The first-of-its kind hamlet coming up on the outskirts of the city is

designed to house over 100 elephants, mahouts (elephant trainers) and their

families.

 

The village, spread over 36 hectares and being built at a cost of Rs 5.22

crore near Amer Fort, is slated for inauguration sometime next month and is

tipped to become yet another tourist destination.

 

The first phase is nearing completion with enclosures ready for 51 elephants

which will move in shortly. Separate quarters are being constructed for the

mahouts with kitchen and bathrooms.

 

Elephants have been part of Jaipur's cultural ethos ever since the royal

days. Earlier, the pachyderms were part of the king's cavalry and were a

measure of the king's pomp and grandeur.

 

Now descendants of families that have been tending to elephants for

generations are renting them out to tourists for the steep ride to the Amer

Fort situated on a hilltop. These rides are a great draw for tourists,

especially those from abroad. They continue to be used for weddings, with

the rich and powerful grooms and their families riding to the mandaps atop

elephants, showcasing their wealth.

 

Rashid Khan, secretary of the Elephant Owners' Association, said: " The

project is a dream come true for the city's 116 elephants. Look at the

condition in which they live in the narrow lanes near Amer Fort, with no

space at all to move about. This project, whose idea was mooted at least 40

years ago, is finally taking shape with water bodies, spacious enclosures

and even separate quarters for mahouts, which they could never dream of. "

 

A veterinary hospital, a riding track for the elephants, a cafeteria and an

exhibition centre are also on the anvil, which could make the place a

tourist hotspot.

 

However, experts are sceptical. NGO officials described the village as a

" concrete township " and said it could meet the fate of Fatehpur Sikri, the

city Akbar built as his capital near Agra but was forced to abandon because

of shortage of water.

 

A veterinary doctor associated with the NGO Help in Suffering (HIS), a

partner of the London-based Elephant Family, said: " There are no forest

areas and natural surroundings which are a must for these animals. The

elephant enclosures have been built in the traditional way measuring 21 by

17 feet, which are too cramped for an animal as big as the elephant. Though

there are plans for water bodies, there is none available now. An elephant

cannot do without water. "

 

Elephant Family and Help in Suffering conducted a research of the site in

2005 and found that natural water supply was insufficient. Edwina

Kinsella-Be van, project manager, Elephant Family, said: " Water availability

in Rajasthan is almost totally dependent on the monsoons and regularly there

is water shortage and drought. Our tests carried out in 2005 showed that the

natural water supply was insufficient. "

 

Project managers are convinced theirs is a good plan. A.K. Sharma, project

engineer giving shape to the village, said: " The village has been planned in

consultation with Mumbai architects. The views of elephant owners have been

taken into account. The enclosures are 30 by 30ft with a height of 17ft. We

got the biggest elephant and checked whether the place is cramped for it or

not. "

 

Sharma also dismissed fears of water shortage. " Three water bodies have been

planned. One of the largest in the first phase will be betel-leaf shaped and

14 feet deep. An anicut (small dam) has also been built to store excess

water in case of heavy rainfall. Water harvesting techniques are being

employed. At least 1,400 saplings were planted last year. The greening of

the place will take some time but every project takes time to take shape. "

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