Word from the Frontline: Insights from Hathi Gaon’s Mahouts and Veterinarians

Why listen to Hathi Gaon’s frontline?

Just outside Jaipur’s Amber Fort, Hathi Gaon (“elephant village”) was purpose-built to house working elephants and their mahout families. Designed by RMA Architects, the project reclaimed a former sand quarry and created rain-harvesting water bodies and shaded living clusters—so elephants could bathe, drink, and rest while mahouts had nearby homes and shared courtyards. It was designed for roughly 100 elephants and their caretakers, with water as the keystone of the layout.

Today, Hathi Gaon exists at the intersection of livelihoods, culture, tourism, and animal welfare. Official and media sources often cite fluctuating numbers of elephants in Jaipur (recent government booking text mentioned ~76 elephants), underscoring how dynamic the situation is.

There’s also an active public debate around elephant rides to Amber (Amer) Fort—courts, conservation groups, tourism bodies, and mahout associations are all stakeholders. In August 2025, the Rajasthan High Court stayed a government order to reduce ride rates, noting the costs of elephant care and mahout livelihoods; and on September 10, 2025, rides were suspended temporarily after rain damage elsewhere led to wider safety checks, leaving mahout families appealing for welfare-fund support. These developments show the economic vulnerability of the community and the policy flux around rides.

A day with a mahout: routine, responsibility, relationship

Before sunrise: Mahouts begin with feed prep and water checks—green fodder (seasonal grasses), roughage, and treats like sugarcane or fruit when affordable. The first hours are for cleaning the stall area, checking for foot cracks or stone bruises, and gentle bathing when water availability allows. The Hathi Gaon layout intentionally places water bodies central to daily life, supporting bathing and caretaker–elephant bonding.

Morning movement: Light walks on unpaved tracks and sandier surfaces are preferred; repeated long walks on cobbles are widely criticized for contributing to foot wear. Mahouts try to balance exercise with rest windows and shade. (Multiple welfare reports across Asia flag foot problems as a leading captive-care issue, reinforcing what mahouts learn through lived experience.)

Midday care: Heat management in Jaipur is real. Shade, water access, and dry, clean resting pads help prevent foot rot and skin issues. Mahouts trim nails only under vet supervision or training; ad-hoc trimming and hard floors are known risk factors for lesions.

Evening wind-down: Final feeding, inspection of pads and nails, cleaning the enclosure, and quiet time. Many families pass elephant knowledge across generations; mahouts know individual preferences: how much time each elephant enjoys in water, which foods they favor, and early signs of irritation or discomfort documented by vets (tail flicking, head bobbing, atypical weight shifts), which can also reflect stereotypies in stressed animals.

Frontline truth: Mahout work is 365 days a year. When tourism dips or rides are paused—as in September 2025—feed and medicine costs don’t pause, which is why associations push for relief from dedicated welfare funds.

What veterinarians prioritize at Hathi Gaon

India’s Project Elephant and subsequent committees have emphasized health investigations and standards for captive-elephant care. Reports note special health examinations in Jaipur and the need for structured veterinary plans, including foot care, nutrition, hydration, and disease screening.

1) Feet first: the biggest quality-of-life lever

Vets and trained keepers focus on routine foot inspection, hygiene, and appropriate substrates. Common issues include overgrown nails, pad cracks, abscesses, and arthritis; prevention relies on daily cleaning, time on softer ground, controlled weight bearing, and evidence-based trimming. Updated guidance stresses collaborative protocols between vets and handlers—don’t trim “by feel” without training.

2) Hydration & thermoregulation

Jaipur’s climate drives the need for frequent water access and shade. Hathi Gaon’s water bodies weren’t aesthetic afterthoughts—they’re clinical infrastructure: bathing cools the body, softens pads for cleaning, and supports skin health.

3) Nutrition that matches an elephant’s day

Welfare syntheses across Asia flag poor body condition and inadequate roughage as trouble spots in tourism settings. Vets recommend high-fibre diets with green fodder and roughage, consistent mineral–salt access, and careful use of calorie-dense treats. Malnutrition (or monotony) can compound foot and skin issues.

4) Disease surveillance & zoonoses

Expert committees and welfare audits have flagged tuberculosis (TB) concerns in captive elephants in Jaipur in past assessments, prompting calls for regular screening and quarantine of positives. TB is a zoonotic risk for both elephants and staff, so vets advocate occupational health programs: periodic testing, PPE during sampling, and clear isolation protocols where needed. (The science is evolving; multiple global advisories recommend ongoing monitoring.)

5) Pain, stress & behavior

Vets look for behavioral indicators (swaying, head bobbing, withdrawal) that can signal chronic stress or pain. They encourage predictable routines, enrichment, and rest windows. Where howdahs (saddles) are still used, vets often push for weight limits, load duration caps, and fit checks, since poor fit on repetitive inclines can aggravate back and shoulder tissues and reduce lung capacity. (The howdah’s welfare debate is long-running.)

The ethics debate: jobs, heritage, and welfare—can they align?

You’ll find conflicting narratives. Conservation NGOs document injuries, eye damage, and fatigue from steep climbs and hard surfaces; some call for ending rides entirely at Amber Fort. Mahout associations counter that elephant upkeep is expensive and that regulated tourism funds daily feed, medicine, and shelter, especially for aging elephants. Courts are actively hearing matters—from ride pricing to policy compliance.

There have also been injury incidents tied to captive-elephant attractions, which bolster calls for risk-based restrictions and better safeguards for visitors, mahouts, and animals alike. The overarching takeaway isn’t to pick a side in a paragraph—it’s to insist on verifiable standards: documented health checks, transparent funding, and visitor practices that reduce stress.

Recent developments (2024–2025): what they mean on the ground

• Court review of ride rates (Aug 2025): A High Court stay on rate cuts highlighted the cost of care and alleged malpractices in the marketplace, with the court summoning explanations from departments. The case underlines how pricing policy and mahout livelihoods are intertwined.
• Temporary ride suspension (Sep 10, 2025): After heavy rains caused structural issues elsewhere, authorities suspended rides pending checks. Mahout representatives sought disbursal from the Elephant Welfare Fund, estimating ₹4,500/day per elephant for feed and medicals. Such shocks expose the need for buffer funding and welfare-first contingency plans.

Implication for visitors & tour operators: Expect policy changes and last-minute disruptions. Choose operators who publish welfare metrics (vet schedules, foot care logs, rest days), and be prepared to skip rides if conditions are unsuitable.

Visiting Hathi Gaon responsibly: practical tips

1. Prioritize welfare-forward experiences. If you visit, look for no-ride, no-tricks interactions focused on observation, feeding within diet plans, and bath time only when vets/keepers deem it appropriate.
2. Ask for transparency. Do they keep foot care records? When was the last vet round? How do they handle TB screening and quarantine? Credible venues will answer calmly.
3. Mind your footprint. Stay quiet, give space, respect the handler’s lead, and avoid flash. Don’t request behaviors that stress joints or feet.
4. Support the community. Buy crafts from mahout families; tip fairly. In disruption periods (like monsoon-linked suspensions), direct donations to vetted welfare funds can bridge feed and medicine gaps.
5. Fact-check marketing. Many websites bill Hathi Gaon as a “sanctuary.” Scrutinize claims: genuine sanctuaries publish medical audits, no breeding/performing policies, and clear capacity limits aligned with water and fodder resources.

What mahouts wish visitors understood

• Elephants age and slow down. Older elephants need shorter sessions, softer ground, and longer rests.
• Foot baths aren’t photo ops; they’re therapy. Bathing softens pads, lets handlers and vets check cracks, and helps cooling. The water bodies at Hathi Gaon are as much clinical infrastructure as cultural ritual.
• Predictability reduces stress. Quiet groups, steady movements, no sudden crowding, and adherence to the handler’s cues make the day safer for everyone.

What veterinarians want on every operator’s checklist

• Daily: Visual gait check; pad cleaning; look for warmth, cracking, uneven wear.
• Weekly: Nail edge assessment; substrate rotation; body condition scoring; fecal checks for parasites.
• Monthly/Quarterly: Trimming (if required), deworming per vet plan, mineral balance review; stall hygiene audits.
• Annually: Comprehensive medical (bloodwork where feasible), TB screening per government guidance, equipment fit checks, and load/time caps documentation if rides are permitted by authorities.

FAQs

Q1) Is Hathi Gaon a sanctuary or a housing colony?
It began as a government-backed housing project near Amber Fort for elephants and their mahouts, designed around water harvesting and shade. Today, various private operators market experiences there, while policy and ethics debates continue. Verify claims and choose welfare-led programs.

Q2) How many elephants live in Jaipur now?
Numbers fluctuate. A recent official booking page snippet mentioned around 76; other sources cite higher historic counts. Always reference the most recent credible source.

Q3) Are elephant rides at Amber Fort legal?
The legal and policy situation is active and evolving. In August 2025, the High Court stayed a ride-rate reduction order and sought explanations from departments. Separate welfare cases and compliance questions have been raised over the years. Check current orders and advisories before planning.

Q4) What about disease risks like TB?
Past audits in Jaipur flagged TB cases and urged regular screening and quarantine. Globally, public-health advisories recommend occupational health programs for elephant handlers due to the zoonotic risk. Ask operators about testing protocols.

Q5) What can I do to help?
Pick no-ride or low-impact programs; support operators who publish vet and foot-care logs; tip fairly; and during disruptions (e.g., monsoon), consider donating to verified welfare funds focused on feed and medicine.

Final word

Hathi Gaon is not a postcard; it’s a working neighborhood where decisions about water, shade, foot health, and fair income determine whether elephants and families can thrive. If you go, go as a learner: ask clear questions, accept quiet moments, and put welfare first. Frontline voices—mahouts and vets—are aligned on one truth: good days are predictable, hydrated, and gentle on feet.