Mysuru: Elephants undergoing training for the main Dasara parade (Jumboo Savari) on Vijayadashami day are feeling very uncomfortable with unfamiliar chopper sounds, said Deputy Conservator of Forests Yedukondalu, indirectly asking the airport authorities to find an alternative.
Going one step further, Vet Nagaraj, monitoring the health of elephants on a regular basis during their training period, suggested that chopper rides should stop immediately.
The district administration has arranged chopper rides for tourists and 2 choppers are flying daily between 9 AM and 5 AM. However, when they fly over the city palace, sensitive pachyderms show lot of discomfort, it is gathered. On one earlier occasion, when floral petals were showered from a chopper as part of preparations for the main event, elephants had run helter-skelter.
Elephants are already trained to withstand the sound effects of 21 gun salute, which is part of the main event apart from dealing with noisy crowds.
Visitors and tourists are not complaining about chopper rides as they get a lovely aerial view of the beautiful city filled with palatial building, lakes and gardens.
The forest department authorities want the chopper rides to end immediately and have sent a request to the authorities concerned. It remains to be seen whether their plea will be addressed or not?
