In Nepal, the 19th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival concluded today in Sauraha, Chitwan, blending tourism promotion, cultural celebration, and elephant conservation activities. About 80 elephants participated in parades, contests, and special events, with the final day featuring traditional elephant worship and an elephant picnic.

 

The elephant festival started on Friday with an opening ceremonial parade, Tharu dance and cultural performances.

The organisers of the 19th Elephant Festival shared that the festival is designed to attract more domestic and international tourists to Chitwan National Park and the Sauraha area. Organisers emphasised the connection between elephants, local culture, and wildlife conservation, including human-wildlife coexistence.

 

Annual visitors of the Elephant festival shared that this is a unique occasion when wildlife-human coexistence is appreciated. Visitors were seen taking selfies with elephants and feeding them fruits. During Elephant Picnic, more than 50 elephants relished their favourite rice and jaggery pudding, fruits, breads and sugarcanes.

 

The elephants in the festival are from the Government of Nepal’s Elephant Breeding Centre and from private owners as well.  Elephant Poonam Kali was the winner of the Elephant Beauty contest. The crowd cheered when Elephant Champakali struck a penalty shot. The elephant happily moved to the cheering crowd in appreciation and raised its trunk towards the crowd in gratitude.

 

Foreign visitors from Europe, US, China, India and domestic tourists were seen thrilled to interact so closely with elephants.