Kaziranga to host elephant festival

GUWAHATI:The high way leading to the Kaziranga National Park is lined with elephants these days. The pachyderms are going to be a part of the first-ever Elephant Festival here.
Besides fun and some elephant games, serious issues concerning man-elephant conflict would also be discussed at the festival, minister of state for forest Pradyut Bordoloi said on Wednesday.
Bordoloi said up till now more than 200 elephants had arrived in the park, which is way above their target of 150, thanks to the tremendous enthusiasm among the people and the elephant owners.
Chief minister Tarun Gogoi will inaugurate the festival and the proceedings would commence with a procession of decorated elephants. Over 25 foreign experts from Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan will attend the festival, the minister said.
Those who will attend the event include travel writers, tour operators, media personalities besides several wild life experts. The experts will hold discussions with their Indian counterparts and other wild life officials.
The state government has also decided to honour `elephant empress'' Parbati Baruah as the honorary Chief Elephant Warden of the state, for her contribution towards the cause, and Dr Robin Bannerjee for his efforts in promoting the Kaziranga National Park.