Jaipur's elephant owners appeal for access to water

Owners of elephants that ferry visitors to and from the historic fort of Amer located on the outskirts of Rajasthan capital Jaipur, have complained of not having enough water for their pachyderms.

With the month of May and June being the hottest months of the year in Rajasthan, the elephant owners have appealed to the state government to take appropriate steps for meeting their demand for adequate water supply.

They have also expressed their objection to state tourism authorities banning the access to the Mawtha pond, from where water was being taken to be given to the elephants.

On an average, an elephant requires a minimum of 250 to 300 litres of water for consumption and 600 litres for bathing. Due to this shortage the elephant owners have to purchase the water tankers which further adds up to the expenses.

"There is a lot of water problem. We have to call water tankers for the elephants, Earlier we used to take the elephants at Mawtha pond for bathing. Now there is even crisis for drinking water for the elephants." Gaffar Khan, owner of elephants.