Actress backs campaign to end cruel elephant rides.

Actress Bhagyashree has lent her voice to a campaign advocating for the cessation of elephant rides at Jaipur's Amer Fort. She champions World Animal Protection's initiative, urging an end to the cruelty inflicted upon elephants for tourist entertainment. Bhagyashree believes Rajasthan's extensive history and heritage are sufficient attractions without resorting to animal suffering.

She emphasized that Rajasthan, with its rich history and cultural sites like Amer Fort, has authentic stories to tell, such as those of Maharana Pratap, negating the need for animal mistreatment. Bhagyashree's personal connection to Rajasthan, with family roots in Jodhpur, intensifies her plea for ethical tourism.

Reflecting on her childhood fascination with animal rides, Bhagyashree now recognizes the suffering these animals endure. She highlighted elephants' sentience and strong social bonds, akin to human families. Witnessing animals in their natural habitats in sanctuaries like Kanha and Kenya's Maasai Mara has underscored for her the importance of respecting their natural behaviors.

She cited an example from Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve, where local communities coexist peacefully with wildlife by respecting boundaries. Bhagyashree questioned why humans cannot achieve similar harmony with animals. Shubhobroto Ghosh of World Animal Protection India praised Bhagyashree's advocacy and urged the Rajasthan government to act swiftly on her plea.