On Mangsir 29, in the tourist city of Sauraha, the 17th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival 2080 is set to take place. After a hiatus of four years, the revitalized Chitwan Elephant Festival, now expanded to include both elephants and tourism, is scheduled to occur.

Ganga Giri, the president of the organizing committee, shared this information during a press conference in Sauraha on Friday. Due to the pandemic, the Chitwan Elephant Festival could not be held since the year 2076. However, with the recent increase in foreign tourist arrivals in Sauraha, the decision to revive the festival was made.

This edition of the festival will include events such as Elephant Race, Elephant Football, and Elephant Polo, replacing competitions that were previously halted. The organizing committee has responded to queries from officials, and entrepreneurs have removed three competitions from this edition.

Scheduled to run for five days, the festival will feature Elephant Beautification Contest, Elephant Jungle Safari, and Elephant Race. The committee has also organized programs highlighting local sportsmanship, aiming to promote tourism and address local challenges related to agriculture and cultural preservation.

Om Prakash Pandey, Vice-Chairman of the organizing committee and main event coordinator, expressed that discussions have been held to responsibly involve local government, businesses, and the Tourism Board in Chitwan for the enhancement of tourism. He emphasized the importance of cultural programs and the conservation of local art, presenting a comprehensive plan that includes information sessions on elephant activities during the festival, along with cultural programs, local attire, and the promotion of local agriculture.

The festival, with its diverse range of events and activities, aims to not only attract visitors but also contribute to the overall development of tourism in Chitwan.