Elephants get own village in Rajasthan

Rajasthan tourism minister Bina Kak inaugurated an elephant village that would house 51 pachyderms here on Saturday.

About 49 acres of land was allotted for the project named 'Elephant Village' in Kunda village, close to the Amer fort.

The project was jointly funded by the Central and State government.

"As of now, 51 elephants have been accommodated here and each has got its marked house, rest would also get the same," Kak said.

"The project was in the pipeline for the last 40 years and now with the initiative of the government of Rajasthan for the past two years, the initiative finally bore fruit," said Shyam Gupta, general secretary, Elephant Owners Association.

According to officials, 32 of the 51 shelters have been allotted to elephant owners.

"Our elephant village project has been done in two phases. In first phase, 51 shelters have been constructed which provide for keeping of elephants and their owners. Out of this, 32 shelters have been allotted. We also have made provisions for water and electricity," Rakesh Verma, general manager, Amer Development Board.

The first phase of the project cost Rs 492 lakh while the second phase has Rs 50 million already allotted. (ANI)

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