Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve celebrates World Elephant Day

Kaziranga (Assam) [India], August 13 (ANI): Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) celebrated World Elephant Day on Monday with a series of events aimed at honouring these majestic creatures and promoting awareness about their conservation.

The celebrations held on Monday brought together park officials, local communities, and conservation enthusiasts.

Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, said that the Ganesh Puja and Elephant Feast were held at all ranges.

“The day began with a traditional Ganesh Puja and Elephant Feast at the Western Range in Bagori. The event was a harmonious blend of spirituality and reverence for elephants, symbolising the deep cultural connection between the people of Assam and these gentle giants. Local priests performed the Ganesh Puja, invoking blessings for the well-being of the elephants. This was followed by a special feast for the park’s elephants, where they were treated to their favourite foods, including bananas, sugarcane, and jaggery. The feast was a heartwarming spectacle, emphasising the park’s commitment to the care and welfare of its resident elephants,” Sonali Ghosh said.

She further said that inter-division sports were also held at the Biswanath Golia Football Ground.

“In the spirit of fostering camaraderie and teamwork, an inter-division sports event was organised at the Biswanath Golia Football Ground. The event featured various sports competitions between the divisions of KNP&TR, highlighting the athleticism and enthusiasm of the park’s staff. The event was graced by Promod Borthakur, MLA, Biswanath, who served as the chief guest. In his address, Borthakur lauded the efforts of the park’s management and staff in conserving wildlife and fostering a positive work environment through such events,” Sonali Ghosh said.

On the other hand, the celebration also included a webinar on human-elephant coexistence, jointly organised by KNP&TR and The Corbett Foundation. The webinar, aimed at addressing the critical issue of human-elephant conflict, featured Dr Anwaruddin Chowdhury (Retd), as the Special Guest Speaker.

Dr Chowdhury, a renowned expert in wildlife conservation, shared his insights on sustainable strategies to ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants. His talk emphasised the importance of community involvement and innovative approaches to mitigate conflicts, offering valuable perspectives to the participants.

The events of World Elephant Day at Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve not only celebrated the significance of elephants in our ecosystem but also reinforced the commitment to their protection and conservation.

The park remains dedicated to fostering harmony between wildlife and humans, ensuring a safe and sustainable future for both. It is also worth mentioning that the late Bubul Gogoi, Mahout, was also awarded (posthumously) the Gaj Gaurav Award, 2024, later today. Late Bubul Gogoi, Mahout, had made significant contributions since joining the forest department in 1986 at the Office of Range Forest Officer, Western Range Bagori. Throughout his tenure, he had undertaken various extraordinary tasks related to the care and monitoring of departmental elephants.

One of his primary responsibilities had been the proper care and well-being of departmental elephants. This includes ensuring their proper upkeep and regularly monitoring their health. Late Bubul Gogoi had been involved in overseeing the care of 15 adult elephants and their calves, implementing a systematic approach to their management. This includes activities such as seasonal deworming and arranging seasonal check-ups by veterinarians.

Furthermore, he played a crucial role in organising the distribution of elephants for different purposes. This includes allocating them to anti-poaching camps to enhance protection efforts, deploying them during rhino estimation exercises, and participating in waterfowl and wild buffalo census initiatives.

In addition to these responsibilities, he consistently monitored the departmental elephants during feeding and ensured their overall well-being. He takes appropriate measures to maintain their health, providing necessary care whenever required.

Through his dedication and efforts, he made invaluable contributions to the forest department. His commitment to the proper care and management of departmental elephants had a positive impact on the conservation and protection of wildlife in the area. He died in a road accident on June 21, 2024, on National Highway 37 at Bagori.