Dubare Elephant Camp, located near Kushalnagar in the district, is wearing a deserted look for the past one week due to lack of tourists following a conflict between the Forest Department and Mahouts at the Camp over some issues.
Though some tourists are coming to Dubare, they are returning empty handed without seeking the elephants following the strike. Forty Mahouts and Kavadis are working at the Camp demanding the Forest Department to provide them a free and separate boat to cross the river on permanent basis. Earlier, the Government had provided a boat and later it was stopped due to some reasons.
The Mahouts, Kavadis and their family members are now using the boats belonging to private operators. It is said that they were earlier dependent on Jungle Lodges and Resorts’ boats to take them across the river to fulfill their needs.
J K Dobhi, head of the Mahouts, told Express that it was very difficult to take Rani, a pregnant woman, to a hospital as there was no separate boat for them last week. He admitted that the tourists are affected due to this stand off. “But at least, the Government and the Forest Department should know what is the problem and requirements of the Mahouts and Kavadis through this,” he said.
However, Rathish, the owner of the Dubare Inn Cottage, told Express that due to the ‘selfish motive’ of the Mahouts and Kavadis, the Forest Department and the tourists are in a fix. “The elephants belong to the Government. The Mahouts and Kavadis cannot claim rights on these elephants. Here everyone, including the Mahouts and Kavadis, is getting bread and butter due to tourists only,” he added.
Nrupatunga, a techie from Bangalore, landed in Dubare with his friends to see elephants and bathe them too knowing about the ongoing strike. He expressed his anguish with Express. “We could have chalked out some other programmes instead of coming here, if this stand off news had become a State news. People like us are affected now,” he remarked.
Ravi, one of the motor boat operators in Dubare, said, “The strike will spoil the situation if the issue is not solved at the earliest.”
On the other hand, it is said that it is easy to fulfill the demand of the Mahouts as Dubare camp collects `20 as entry fee fro the tourists. The collection from the sale of tickets reaches `30-40,000 on weekends. It exceeds `1 lakh during holidays. The annual fee collection exceeds `40 lakh. A motor boat, which Mahouts and Kavadis are demanding, costs `2.50 lakh only.
“The Forest Department should come forward to settle the issue as early as possible,” sources said.
Speaking to Express, Kushalnagar RFO M M Acchchappa said that the matter has been brought to notice of the seniors in the department. “A proposal has also been sent for the purchase of a boat. It will reach Dubare once the permission is granted,” he noted.
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