Mysuru: Following the death of a woman tourist at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu on May 18 when Makhna elephant Airavata fell on the woman after it was attacked by another elephant Kanjan and Airavata succumbing to injuries the next day, the Forest Department has issued 10 non-negotiable guidelines for safety of tourists, staff, elephants, accident prevention and quick emergency response at all elephant camps across the State.
The guidelines includes prohibition of any physical contact with elephants by tourists such as touching, feeding, bathing, clicking selfies very close to the elephants or standing close to them.
The guidelines also mandates visitors to remain in the green zone and not to cross the barricades; maintain a distance of 10 metres from the elephants and not to allow more than 50-75 tourists at the green zone at a time. Slot duration of 45 to 60 minutes, including briefing, guided viewing, interpretation, exit and buffer has also been recommended.
Only the staff and emergency responders, authorised by the Forest Department, are allowed in the amber zone, a controlled staff area. Only Mahouts, Kavadis, Veterinarians and authorised staff are permitted in the red zone, the Elephant Operational Area.
Staff has been asked not to bring elephants in musth, aggressive, unhealthy, injured, disobedient, mother elephant with six-month-old calf and newly captured elephants before the tourists. All elephant camps should install CCTV cameras and the footages should be monitored and stored.
