Jumbo trouble surfaces at Rajasthans Amber Fort

Enjoying an elephant ride at Rajasthans Amber Fort is a joy that almost no tourist wants to miss. But red tape, it seems, is preventing the issue of licences to jumbo owners.

By Lokendra Singh

Jaipur, Sep.5 : Enjoying an elephant ride at Rajasthan's Amber Fort is a joy that almost no tourist wants to miss. But red tape, it seems, is preventing the issue of licences to jumbo owners.

Amber Fort is short of elephants for tourists, and the authorities have been forced to bring in elephants from Bihar and Assam.

According to elephant owners, seven new elephants from Assam and Bihar have joined the Hathishala (elephant stables), but they cannot be deployed for rides because the mahouts reportedly don't have the required tourist license.

Nazar Khan, the owner of an elephant, said: "We are having problem in keeping the elephants, as they are not permitted for carrying tourists by the authority. As a result, the elephants are suffering and we are unable or feed them."

There are three agencies involved for issuing licenses and permits viz. the Department of Archaeology, Conservator of Forests and Rajasthan Tourism.

Elephant owners complain that none of these departments appears concerned about their plight.

Looking after an elephant costs between rupees 800 and 1000 a day. In the absence of resources, the elephant owners endure losses.

Shyam Gupta, General Secretary of the Elephants Owners Association in Amber, said: "Six to seven elephants are here and they have not been permitted for carrying tourists. Naturally, the elephants and their owners are facing problems. The tourist season begins from September 15. I urge the Government to think over our problem, so that we can be relieved of this frustrating issue."

Last year, these giant animals helped to earn a turnover of nearly 4.78 crore rupees. As usual, the lion's share went to the Government coffers.

ANI