(IN): Report seeks intervention in Mahouts' condition

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Report seeks intervention in Mahouts' conditionAnindo Dey, TNN 27 August

2009, 03:07am IST

 

JAIPUR: A recent report on the status of Jaipur elephants has called for an

urgent intervention into the lives of the mahouts as their condition has a

direct fallout on the condition of the animals.

 

The report advocates the formation of a forum of veterinarians, elephant

owners and representatives from the departments of tourism, forest and

animal husbandry for the betterment of the animals.

 

On its formation, the forum should be a registered society and undertake

activities like improving the living and working condition of elephants and

mahouts, increasing the income of owners through managerial inputs. It will

also look into issues like group insurance for mahouts and initiating

efforts to home their skills or provide incentives such a scholarship to

deserving mahouts.

 

Prepared by Professor Jacob V Cheeran, co-chair Captive Elephant, Asian

Elephant Specialist Group, the report was submitted in February this year to

NGOs-- elephant family and Help In Suffering (HIS).

 

However, the condition of these elephants has once again deteriorated, and

the measures taken for their conservation, are no longer implemented.

 

" Since the past month, many of the norms, which were earlier enforced on the

elephant owners are being flouted, and the jumbos are back to working for

long hours under extreme conditions. Despite a prohibition, owners have

started using iron ankush', " managing trustee, HIS, Timmie Kumar said.

 

These iron ankush can cause deep wounds in the animals. The practice was

done away with after the intervention of the NGOs and instead wooden ones

were used.

 

The report advises a more humane approach in elephant handling. In this

context, it has recommended a detailed study by sociologists on the lives of

the mahouts, and to suggest ways to improve their conditions. According to

its findings, use of alcohol and cannabis is high among them which can be

attributed to high stress levels and the risks involved in their work.

 

Besides, issues like job insecurity, accident prone, large families to

support, and lack of understanding with the elephant owners, also puts the

mahouts under stress. The report suggests provisions such as insurance

schemes, establishment of a mahout welfare fund and minimum wages for them.

 

As per the report, in 2001 the elephants were forced to ferry four tourists

up the Amber Fort. Due to a lack of green fodder, the elephants suffered

Vitamin A deficiency and some eventually lost their eyesight or turned

partially blind.

 

Various measures have been taken since then and the condition of the

pachyderms has improved. However, in the past few months, some of these

measures and norms have been violated by the elephant owners.

 

The HIS is planning to stage a demonstration of about 500 people at the

Statue Circle to protest against the administrative negligence.

 

" We hope to make the public aware of the poor conditions of the elephants by

the demonstration. If corrective measures are not taken, we might even go to

the extent of asking people not to take elephant rides at Amber, " Timmie

added.

 

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