18th edition of Elephant and Tourism Festival kicks off in Sauraha

Chitwan, Dec 26: The 18th edition of the Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival 2081 has started in the tourist town of Sauraha in Chitwan district from Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh marked the beginning of the festival, which is organized by the Regional Hotel Association of Nepal, Chitwan. On the occasion, Minister Singh said that our heritage should be utilized judiciously.

The available resources should be used for national interests and to make the economy vibrant. The event is aimed at promoting domestic and foreign tourism in Sauraha. It is said that the festival would engage and entertain an increasing number of tourists in Sauraha while expressing the hope that it would help in the promotion of Nepal’s tourism at the international level.

On the occasion, Minister Singh said that such festivals should be made wildlife-friendly while promoting tourism. On the first day of the event on Thursday, an elephant-friendly football match with a penalty shootout was organized.

The elephant beauty contest, elephant picnic, elephant-friendly musical walk, boat race, and other events have been kept in the festival that lasts on December 30. Likewise, the festival will see an interaction on the potential and challenges of Chitwan’s tourism along with a friendly sports competition.

The interaction will discuss the role of the local government, businesspersons, and the tourism board in the promotion of tourism in the district, said Ram Kumar Aryal, the coordinator of the festival’s main organizing committee. —RSS