Elephant caretakers mull over boycotting Mysuru Dasara festivities

MYSURU: The Karnataka State Government has decided to hold this year’s Mysuru Dasara festivities on a grand note, however, trouble brews as Mahouts and Kavadis (elephant caretakers) are holding a meeting in Dubare Elephant Camp of Madikeri on Tuesday to decide on boycotting this year’s Dasara festivities if their demands regarding salary disparity are not met by the State Government.

A meeting attended by Mahouts and Avadis from Rampura, Sakrebylu, K. Gudi, Dubare and Mathigodu to mount pressure on the State Government was held in Dubare earlier on Sunday and the meeting outcome was inconclusive.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Monday, Mahout and Kavadi Association president Annaiah Doreappa said that “We have been demanding removal of salary disparity but we get only assurances while the demand has remained unfulfilled over the years.”

He said Mahouts draw a salary of Rs 21,000 while Kavadis get Rs 18,000 a month and our demand is to raise the salary to Rs 40,000-45,000 for Mahouts a month so that a Mahout could meet his family requirements such as school fees, better access to hospitals among others. “While the costs have gone up but our salary has remained unchanged,” he rued.

In the State, as many as 134 Mahouts and Kavadis work in various elephant camps and there is a need of about 60 Mahouts and Kavadis to care of the tamed elephants participating in Mysuru Dasara festivities scheduled from September to October 5.

However, Mahouts and Kavadis have received an assurance from forest officials that their demands would be met.