HC issues notices over elephant rides near Amber Fort

Jaipur: Rajasthan high court, while hearing a plea against alleged illegal elephant rides near Amber Fort, Saturday issued notices to the state govt and multiple respondents.The court also directed that wildlife authorities be impleaded as parties in the case. The court gave a time of three weeks to the respondents to file their reply in this case.While hearing the petition filed by Elephant Village Development Society, Jaipur, a single-judge bench of Justice Sameer Jain issued notices to the state govt through principal secretary, dept of art, literature, culture and archaeology, along with key departments and officials.As per the petition, Hathi Gaon houses elephant shelters (“thaanas”) built in accordance with guidelines of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. Initially, around 100 elephants were kept there, and the number grew over time along with the involvement of mahouts and their families. The petitioners claimed that elephant rides at Amber Fort are meant to be conducted in a regulated manner under the Amber Ghat Vehicles Rules, 1976. However, the plea alleges that despite clear regulations, unauthorised persons have been conducting illegal elephant rides outside Amber Fort and Hathi Gaon. These operators are reportedly charging tourists anywhere between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 per ride and misleading visitors while bypassing official systems.The petitioners raised concerns over the alleged inaction of authorities in stopping unauthorised elephant rides being conducted by private individuals outside designated areas such as Hathi Gaon. It is also alleged in the petition that despite repeated representations and notices, the respondents have failed to effectively curb illegal elephant ride operations outside designated zones like Hathi Gaon.The petitioners raised concerns over the alleged inaction of authorities in stopping unauthorised elephant rides being conducted by private individuals outside designated areas such as Hathi Gaon. It is also been alleged in the petition that despite repeated representations and notices, the respondents have failed to effectively curb illegal elephant ride operations outside designated zones like Hathi Gaon.