A camel died last week at Chokhi Dhani in Kalyan-Bhiwandi, a place popular for its ethnic village culture and Rajasthani cuisine.
A camel died last week at Chokhi Dhani in Kalyan-Bhiwandi, a place popular for its ethnic village culture and Rajasthani cuisine.
Camel rides are star attractions at Chokhi Dhani, and the place is much in demand for school picnics. However, one of the two available camels, died allegedly due to being overburdened, and the second camel is sick.
A regular visitor, on condition of anonymity, said, “The camel ride is very popular among children. However, a week ago, the camel rides were stopped.”
One of the camels died on Tuesday and the other was very sick, the visitor said.
According to him, Chokhi Dhani is visited by 500 to 800 children on an average per day during the school picnic season. “There are some days, especially weekends, when the place is swarmed by close to 1,000 students. There are only two camels available.
A camel’s back can accommodate four people, but the organisers overburden them by putting at least eight students on the animal,” he alleged.
Eyewitnesses also said the dead camel’s body was lying in the parking lot for two days.
“Though it is a fun place, the animals there are ill-treated. When we asked why only two camels were available for so many students, they promised that the numbers would be increased,” said another teacher, who went there on a school trip recently.
Mumbai’s Chokhi Dhani is a franchisee of the Jaipur Chokhi Dhani. Head of operations Maninder Singh Naruka, said, “We take utmost care of the animals at Chokhi Dhani. We also ask for a fitness certificate for the camels every month from the supplier.
Camels are robust animals. They are not easily overburdened. Even if the numbers of students are more than five, the camel is not affected. The camel must have died a natural death. Age could also be a factor. We take care of our animals like pets.”
Colonel JC Khanna, secretary of the Bombay Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said, “Camels cannot be brought into the city or near its periphery. The climate of the city is not favourable for them. This has been ruled by a court order in 1996.”
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