‘Haathi Gaon’ set for Rs 8 crore makeover

JAIPUR: In a bid to improve the deplorable condition of the 'Haathi Gaon', seven years after it came into being in 2010, the forest department is finally taking some concrete measures. The 'Haathi Gaon' at Amber would now be managed like a zoo that would have a ticketed gated complex.

Besides, several infrastructure upgradation measures, a detailed proposal is being prepared at the cost of approximately Rs 8 crore to provide to the captive elephants, a near natural habitat. In a revolutionary move, for the first time, the state forest department invited Wildlife SOS to organise a series of training workshops on Elephant Care and Management to sensitize elephant owners and keepers (mahouts) in Jaipur. In the first of its kind workshop, 75 mahouts and owners interacted with Wildlife SOS elephant care experts and veterinarians from the Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura that conducted extensive



training and sensitization for elephant owners and mahouts.

"Our focus is to ensure that the elephants receive better care. The forest department invited Wildlife SOS to carry out assessment of the Elephant Village with an intention to improve the conditions for the elephants and organise a series of workshops on healthcare and management of captive elephants," said Dr G V Reddy, chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. The project for 100 elephants and their mahouts at Haathi Gaon was to provide a natural park-like shelter for elephants with extensive plantation, a well-equipped veterinary hospital and proper sewerage facility. It had envisaged basic comforts for the pachyderms, besides creating for several attractions for the tourists. But even six years later a lot needs to be done to improve the facility for elephants in captivity. At the moment there are 116 elephants in Jaipur.