Elephant ride at the only tiger reserve of the State is totally dependent on the mood of Juhi. If she nods, the tourists among whom many go to Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) only for an elephant ride would enjoy a good day. However, the moment she falls ill even slightly, the entire adventure of being there might meet an abrupt end.
“After the demise of Anarkali, we have struggled to acquire another elephant for elephant ride within PTR. Now we are banking completely upon Juhi alone, who is almost as old as Anarkali was, for elephant ride in the reserve. The day Juhi falls ill, the ride would be cancelled,” said Chief Forest Officer (Core Area) of PTR Anil Mishra on Friday.
The demise of Anarkali, who provided joy ride to movie stars, politicians, foreigners and most importantly the common man over three decades has left forest officials of PTR to struggle and manage with Juhi alone. “We have repeatedly written to officials above the line to get at least one more elephant from nearby Betla so that the ride is not interrupted in case Juhi acquires some kind of illness. However, we have not got any answer in last couple of months. The ride can meet an abrupt end anyday,” said Mishra.
Juhi’s solidarity as lone pet elephant in the PTR could have taken her at a different level of mental instability, had she not been accompanied with a tiny rescued baby elephant ‘Rakhi’ around. Rakhi's mother had died following the thunder and lightning that struck Park two years back when she was just eight month old. She has been brought up by the personnel of the Park ever since. But she is too small to be used for ride. Moreover, Mishra has sensed her blood relatives nearby and wants Rakhi to return to her natural habitat.
“We have observed a herd of elephant trying to approach to Rakhi. I am pretty sure they are her family members. The first attempt of herd to get Rakhi back with them was mistakenly foiled by workers, who thought that little Rakhi would be left wandering here and there. However, be it human being or animal, everyone is equally happy to be with the family. This is why we have asked workers not to stop Rakhi in any other such genuine effort,” said Mishra.
The PTR enjoys long history of being one of the most attractive tiger reserves of the country with tourists across the world visiting there.
“However, if we are not permitted to buy an elephant even from markets like Sonepur in Bihar, then the history of elephant ride at PTR might very soon become a history in itself,” said Mishra.