9th International Elephant race competition kicked off on Wednesday (KATHMANDU, Dec. 26) the amidst a grand opening in Sauraha Chitwan, Nepal’s touristic hub.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha inaugurated the race, popularly known as Chitwan Elephant Festival, by lighting a lamp.
Elephant race, young elephant football, elephant beauty contest, bull-cart race, horse-cart race and other cultural shows will be organized in the three-day festival.
Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that the festival has helped to boost tourism in Nepal. Twenty-four elephants will take part in the race, 8 elephants in the football match, and 5 elephants in the beauty contest, organizers said.
“Due to lack of fund we haven’t been able to advertise internationally,” Gyanendra Bista, festival co-ordinator, told Xinhua. “The response has been positive.”
During the festival, more tourists will visit the Chitwan national park, said Amir Maharjan, Assistant Conservation Officer of the park.
Kashiraj Bhandari, director at Nepal Tourism Board, told Xinhua that the festival has been successful in creating positive awareness about tourism and within the communities.
Deepak Adhikari, 42, a local, said that the festival has helped to boost tourism and also helped Chitwan to be highlighted in the international media.
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