Mysuru: The Mysore Palace Board sanctioned an honorarium of Rs. 10.80 lakh to mahouts, kavadis, special handlers, assistants and Forest Department staff who took care of Dasara elephants this year.

The cheque was handed over by Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya to DCF Dr. I.B. Pabhugowda at a customary puja held before the elephants returned to their camps. The Forest Department will deposit the amount into the bank accounts of recipients. Each mahout and kavadi will receive Rs. 15,000.

The honorarium is part of the Palace Board’s annual practice of recognising the efforts of elephant caretakers and forest personnel, whose work plays a key role in Jumboo Savari.