The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice to the state government on the charge of violating animal protection laws while permitting elephant polo matches and using elephants for ferrying tourists to Amber fort.

The high court issued the notice on Thursday on a public interest litigation filed after a global controversy erupted over a elephant polo match organised recently in Jaipur.

A division bench of the court has directed the chief secretary, the principal chief conservator of forests, the chief wildlife warden and the director general of police to file their replies on the matter.

The PIL was moved by a Haryana-based animal welfare organisation, People for Animals. Naresh Kumar Kadyan, head of PFA, pointed out that elephant is a Schedule-I animal listed in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and requires protection in its natural habitat.

The PIL mentions the provisions of Performing Animals (Registration) Rules 2001, prohibiting the use of elephants in entertainment activities.