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Mysuru Dasara faces elephant ban demand after safety concerns

Mysuru Dasara faces elephant ban demand after safety concerns

Mysuru Dasara faces elephant ban demand after safety concerns raised about captive elephants used in the festival in Mysuru, Karnataka. Animal welfare activists and concerned citizens urged authorities to stop using elephants in the celebrations due to safety risks and animal welfare issues. The petitioners asked the Karnataka Forest Department and the district administration to replace live elephants with mechanised alternatives or cultural floats. Opposing the demand, temple authorities and festival committees stated that traditional rituals require live animals. The forest department stated that veterinary teams monitor the health and stress levels of the participating elephants throughout the festival. Officials stated that a final decision on the participation of the elephants will be taken after reviewing safety guidelines and consulting stakeholders before the next festival season.

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