Sauraha elephant safari caught between animal welfare and livelihoods

The future of elephant safaris in Sauraha, Nepal's premier tourist destination, hangs in the balance after a Supreme Court ruling mandated animal welfare reforms. For decades, tourists have ridden elephants through the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, a practice that has become synonymous with the region's tourism. However, private elephant owners and local entrepreneurs fear the verdict could cripple the local economy and negatively impact the welfare of the domesticated animals.

Stakeholders gathered for the 15th International Elephant Day celebration in Sauraha to discuss the delicate issue. Dipendra Khatiwada, president of the United Elephant Management Cooperative Limited, stated that while owners are prepared to transition to a sanctuary model, it cannot happen overnight. He advocated for a dual-track approach, allowing fit elephants to continue safaris for a few more years while creating sanctuaries for elderly, sick, or disabled elephants. This approach, he argued, would allow owners time to adjust their businesses and protect livelihoods.

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We are prepared to transition to a sanctuary model as envisioned by the court, but it cannot happen overnight. We are not in favour of stopping elephant safaris at once. We should instead pursue a dual-track approach: allow fit, working-age elephants to continue safaris for a few more years, while creating dedicated sanctuaries for elderly, sick, or disabled elephants and integrating them into tourism activities that do not disturb nature and local communities.

The Supreme Court's decision stemmed from a writ petition filed on behalf of animal welfare advocates. The court's verdict, uploaded recently, cited the anatomical limitations of elephants, stating that their spines and legs are not evolved to carry human passengers. It highlighted the severe physical stress, foot rot, and joint ailments caused by heavy loads and continuous tours, deeming the use of elephants for entertainment a violation of their intrinsic worth and welfare.

The court instructed the government to establish clear policies and seek alternatives to riding safaris, emphasizing the need to respect elephants as living beings. This ruling has placed Sauraha's tourism industry at a crossroads, forcing a confrontation between long-standing traditions, economic dependencies, and evolving ethical standards for animal welfare.

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The anatomical structure of an elephant’s spine, legs, and body is not evolved to carry human passengers. Subjecting these animals to heavy loads and continuous circular tours causes severe physical stress, foot rot, and joint ailments. Using an elephant merely as a tool for human entertainment contradicts our legal duty to respect its intrinsic worth and welfare as a living biological entity.