For the first time in India, a memorial has been built in the memory of elephants. It was opened in the remembrance of those who have lost their lives because of human brutalities. Located in a Mathura-based wildlife conversation centre, it is not located very far from the popular tourist destination, Agra.
Animal Cruelty In The Name Of Tourism
Recently, incidents about elephant brutality were highlighted, not only in India but across the world. In fact, an elephant passed away in Sri Lanka because of exhaustion after carrying passengers. In India too, they are used extensively for tourism purposes, for rides, circuses and sometimes for labour too. They are captured from the wild, tamed and undergo misery and torture which ultimately ends up taking their lives.
It does not end there. The brutal training and captivity also affects these loving giants psychologically, because of which they suffer extensively.
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The Thought Behind It
The memorial has been established by NGO Wildlife SOS with the support of Uttar Pradesh Forest Department at the Elephant Conversation and Care Centre. It has stone boulders and has the names of these giants etched on black granite plaques that highlights the spirit of each departed soul.
We hope that this monument is a constant reminder that elephants belong in the wild, and not in chains. So the next time you visit the Taj Mahal, do pay a visit to this memorial, while is located about 30-minutes away.
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