19th Elephant and Tourism Festival Kicks Off in Sauraha, Chitwan

Sauraha, Chitwan – The 19th Elephant and Tourism Festival officially began today at Sauraha, a major tourist destination in Chitwan. The festival, held at the Baghmara Community Forest grounds, will continue until Poush 13. The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Indrabahadur Baniya, Chief Minister of Bagmati Province. The event saw significant participation from stakeholders in tourism, forestry, and environmental sectors, as well as local entrepreneurs, tourism operators, media personnel, and the general public.

Purpose and Expected Impact

According to the organizers, the primary aim of the festival is to boost both domestic and international tourist arrivals in Sauraha. The current hotel occupancy in the area, around 40 percent, is expected to increase by 20–25 percent during the festival. Hotels and restaurants have also arranged special discounts on food and accommodation to attract visitors.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nepal Tourism Board, Joshi, emphasized that elephants are not only animals but an integral part of Nepal’s culture, history, and identity. He noted that the perception of Nepal merely as a natural destination is incomplete and highlighted the deep cultural connection between elephants and Nepalese heritage. Joshi added that the festival serves as a strong platform to link elephants with tourism, and the board is committed to long-term strategies for elephant conservation and population growth, prioritizing regenerative tourism in collaboration with all tourism stakeholders.

Festival Programs

During the festival, a range of cultural, sports, and entertainment activities will be conducted. On the first day, a parade started from the entrance of Chitwan National Park. The day also featured an elephant penalty shootout competition and various cultural performances.

On the second day, activities will include the direct elephant beauty contest, elephant health camp, interactive sessions, boat races, additional sports competitions, and folk music performances. On the final day, the festival will feature an elephant worship ceremony, community feasts, the announcement of competition results, award and certificate distribution, followed by a closing ceremony and cultural performances in the evening.

Tourism Promotion and Conservation Message

Organizers expect the festival to promote tourism in Sauraha while also conveying messages about local culture, biodiversity, and elephant conservation at both national and international levels.