Đăk Lăk allocates 55 billion dong to end elephant riding tourism

The Provincial People's Committee of Đăk Lăk has agreed to allocate 55 billion dong to support elephant owners, caretakers, and care centers in order to end the practice of elephant riding and transition to a more sustainable tourism model.

Đăk Lăk allocates 55 billion dong to end elephant riding tourism

On November 14, Mr. Tran Xuan Phuoc, Director of the Elephant Conservation, Rescue, and Forest Protection Center of Đăk Lăk province, revealed that the funding comes from the Asian Animal Foundation (AAF). The support will be implemented from November 2022 to December 2026 in Buôn Đôn district (Yok Đôn National Park, tourism companies) and Lăk district.

At the end of last year, Đăk Lăk province signed a cooperation agreement with AAF on a friendly elephant tourism model. Under this agreement, the province will no longer organize elephant riding tourism, elephant swimming competitions, football matches, or parades on the streets... The funding provided by AAF will compensate owners and caretakers for the declining income due to the cessation of elephant exploitation. Tourism centers will receive funding and technical support to transition to a more elephant-friendly tourism model...

In recent times, elephant riding tourism has adversely affected the health, lifespan, and population of elephants in the area. According to the Đăk Lăk Elephant Conservation Center, there are approximately 140 elephants remaining in the province, a 90% decrease compared to 1980. In 2018, AAF also provided $65,000 to end elephant riding tourism in Yok Đôn National Park.

As per Monster

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour