The Dak Lak People’s Committee has just signed a Decision approving technical assistance provision to transform the elephant riding tourism model into an elephant-friendly tourism model, said the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on November 10.
Photo for illustration. (Source: nhandan.vn)
The project, funded by Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), will contribute to accelerating the transformation of elephant riding tourism into an elephant-friendly tourism model in the Central Highlands province.
The project aims to end the use of elephant riding tourism and activities affecting the welfare of elephants in tourism and festivals, contributing to elephant conservation in the province.
Accordingly, Dak Lak province will refrain from organizing such activities as elephant riding tourism, elephant-related competitions including elephant swimming, tug of war or reenacting scenes of hunting and taming elephants.
The AAF will be responsible for mobilizing legal resources for technical and financial support to benefit elephants and households with income from elephant riding tourism.
The project will be implemented from November 2022 to December 2026 in Buon Don district, including Yok Don National Park; Center for Elephant Conservation, Animal Rescue and Forest Protection Management; and tourism companies operating in the district.
The total value of the aid is 55.452 billion VND, of which the non-refundable aid is 50.888 billion VND./.
BTA
