Resumption of activities like elephant race, football and polo at the Chitwan Elephant Festival is regrettable to any sane person. This cruel and merciless program was suspended five years ago today and it should have been stopped there forever.

During the organization of the festival last year, video footage was seen of the participating elephants being repeatedly hit, gored and forcefully pulled by the ears of the participating elephants. It is also seen that mahouts use sharp wooden weapons like sticks and knives on elephants in a state of shock. A little scared boy was repeatedly punched behind the ear while trying to play football and was left with a bloody wound on his ear. Even outside the field of play, the mahouts were brutally kicked and beaten without any hesitation. Only after violence and control is it possible to coerce large animals into such complex activities.

If such a controversial and reprehensible plan goes ahead, tourists who travel responsibly will not choose Nepal as their destination, and it will also have a big impact on Nepal's reputation. The world is watching this. And the consequences will be very serious.

– Jason Baker , Senior Vice President, PETA Asia, Hong Kong