Students Campaign to Ban Elephant Rides at Jaipur's Amer Fort
In a heartening display of youth activism, over a hundred students from Cambridge School, Srinivaspuri, have penned a letter to India's Prime Minister, seeking an end to elephant rides at Jaipur's iconic Amer Fort. This campaign, supported by World Animal Protection, aims to halt the cruel treatment of these majestic animals.
World Animal Protection, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has been tirelessly working for over a decade to stop animal cruelty in Amer Fort, Jaipur. Their efforts have expanded to include sensitizing students about wildlife exploitation and the plight of animals in food systems, engaging schools like Cambridge to raise awareness.
The organization has also been instrumental in rescuing animals during disasters and promoting animal-friendly policies. Their current campaign, backed by the children of Cambridge School, urges the Indian government to ban elephant rides at Amer Fort. The children, realizing that animals are wild creatures meant to be cherished in their natural habitats, not exploited for rides, have shown remarkable empathy and understanding.
World Animal Protection's Country Director, Gajender Kumar Sharma, commended the children's initiative. As the organization continues its fight against animal cruelty, it also encourages plant-based diets and highlights the risks of zoonotic diseases from wildlife exploitation and intensive farming. Jaipur, meanwhile, offers tourists historical and cultural experiences without harming animals, a testament to the power of responsible tourism.
