Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival from December 26

The 18th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival is to be held this year from coming December 26 to 30. Organized every year by Regional Hotel Association Chitwan and United Hatti Operation Cooperatives Society Ltd and Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal the festival will to be held in Sauraha.

President of Chitwan Regional Hotel Association, Ganga Giri, said that the festival this year will be different and grander than the past. The arrival of tourists increases by 25 to 30 percent every year due to the festival, he claimed. A total of 80 elephants both private and government-owned will participate in various activities under the festival.

The festival is expected to cost around Rs 13.5 million. Senior Director of Nepal Tourism Board, Hikmatsingh Ayer emphasized that elephant festival is important for tourism promotion and the NTB and other stakeholders should work together to market it.

Elephant festival is the biggest event Chitwan has been organized since last 16 years. Elephant plays an important role in the tourism of Nepal, this festival also showcases how the elephants are cured and loved not only by their owners and also by the local connection. Since decades and decades, elephant and human have been having an amazing relation between them in Chitwan National Park. Elephant Festival takes place at Baghmara ground in Sauraha from December 26 to 30 every year. The elephant festival is being organized with the goal of highlighting the importance of elephant and its protection, collaboration in the conservation of wildlife and to promote the domestic and international tourism. Events as elephant picnic, elephant race competition, football match involving elephant calves, elephant beauty queen contest, elephant polo, elephant decoration competition and variety cultural performance by national artists plan as part of the festival.