Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure tourist safety at elephant camps across the state. He has also
ordered that tourists be allowed to watch elephant bathing only from a distance of 100 feet.
The directions were issued to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden following the recent tragedy at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu, where a 33-year-old tourist from Chennai died after being trapped under an elephant during bathing activities. The incident reportedly occurred when two elephants began fighting and one of them trampled the woman.
Khandre said tourist safety must be given top priority at elephant camps and eco-tourism destinations across Karnataka.
He noted that SOPs had already been prepared for trekking routes under eco-tourism initiatives to ensure the safety of trekkers and tourists. Trekking activities had also been temporarily suspended until strict implementation of the guidelines.
On similar lines, the minister instructed officials to immediately formulate safety protocols for elephant camps as well.
Tuesday onwards, tourists will not be allowed to go near elephants at any elephant camp in the state. Visitors will only be permitted to watch elephants being bathed from a minimum distance of 100 feet.
The minister also directed that tourists must not be allowed to take selfies or photographs near elephants, participate in bathing them, or feed them items such as bananas, jaggery or sugarcane directly by hand under any circumstances.
Tulasi, a 33-year-old tourist from Tamil Nadu, was crushed to death during a fight between two trained elephants at the Dubare camp in Karnataka’s Kodagu district after one of the animals lost balance and fell on her. She was reportedly standing near the river and watching the elephants being bathed.
Officials said the trained elephants, Kanjan and Marthanda, began fighting while being bathed. Despite the mahouts’ efforts to control them, Kanjan charged at Marthanda and rammed him.
As Marthanda lost balance and fell, the woman became trapped underneath the elephant and died. Her husband and child narrowly escaped unhurt.
A video of the incident, recorded by bystanders, showed the woman’s husband holding the child in one hand and attempting to rescue her, but in vain.
