Summary:
The use of elephants for rides should, therefore, be eliminated entirely. JAIPUR: Rajasthan High Court on Thursday issued notice to the state government and the Elephant owners' Development Society over alleged 'cruel and illegal elephant rides' at Amber Fort and Elephant Village (Hathigaon) in Jaipur.The court also sought reply from Animal Welfare Board of India and the Animal Welfare Division of ministry of environment, forests and climate change. They were asked to file reply by July 30. Besides, the petition stated that the 2018 AWBI inspection report revealed that the elephants at Amer Fort are being forced to carry loads heavier than 200 kilogram, which is the legal maximum weight that they may carry on hilly terrain, as per the 2008 Guidelines for Care and Management of Captive Elephants issued by the Centre. The petition further pointed out that the weight of a 'howdah' - a seat used for riding on the back of an elephant - combined with the safety gear and one mahout alone is around 200 kilograms, so it's unlikely that the total load weight including tourists could ever be reduced enough to fall below the legal maximum on the hilly terrain of Amer Fort..