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| September 18, 2009 | Jumbos enjoy a day off at wildlife sanctuary | | Jalpaiguri:
Captive elephants, used by the forest officials to supervise the area, enjoyed a
royal treat at the
Jaldapara Sanctuary in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The forest officials
use elephants to supervise the area since most of the sanctuary is inaccessible
by vehicle or on foot. Every year on the occasion of Vishwakarma puja, the jumbos
get the much-awaited annual holiday. On this day, the elephants are given special
treatment. The day starts with the bathing of the animals in the river. The mahouts
then decorate the elephants and give them special food. "The elephants are the
ride of Lord Vishwakarma and Vishwakarma takes care of machine, elephants. That's
why we the staff members of Jaldapara Wildlife perform this puja (ritual)," said
Kharke Bahadur, a mahout. Wildlife officials said elephants played a big role
in maintaining the sanctuary. "Because at Jaldapara, it's mainly wildlife area.
Here, there is very important role for such captive elephants because some areas
where vehicle movement and foot patrolling is not possible because there is risk
to life and these areas are accessible (because of elephants). So we totally depend
on these captive elephants," said Buddhadev Mondal, range officer at the sanctuary. | |
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