Elephant Festival kicks off in Chitwan

By Our Correspondent,Narayangadh, Dec. 27: The 18th Chitwan Elephant Festival began on Thursday in Sauraha. The annual festival is being organised with the aim of promoting tourism through elephant-related activities.

Inaugurating the festival amidst a ceremony on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, expressed confidence that such events would contribute positively to the promotion of tourism and economy of the country.

"Festivals like these which are aimed at supporting economic activities must be shielded from elements that seek to disrupt them. They play a vital role in delivering the right message and boosting tourism. The government should encourage and support such initiatives as tourism significantly contributes to Nepal's economic growth," he said. 

DPM Singh further stated that tourism activities should focus on benefiting the people. 

According to him, these kinds of festivals aid the development of tourism. However, they must be organised in line with public aspirations. 

He highlighted the role of ancestors in the conservation of flora and fauna which now has significantly contributed to boosting tourism. 

"The harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife, which has existed since ancient times, has created an environment where both coexist peacefully. This has greatly benefitted tourism," said DPM Singh. 

The festival aims to promote tourism by showcasing various elephant-themed activities. The inauguration included a grand elephant parade around Sauraha – a tourism hub right out of the Chitwan National Park, which attracted significant attention. On the first day, a penalty shootout in elephant football was demonstrated as a unique highlight.

The festival also features events such as the Elephant Beauty Contest, Elephant Football Penalty Shootout, and Elephant Picnic. It will run until December 30, with several cultural programmes scheduled throughout the event.