CHITWAN, Dec 23: Animal rights activists and related organizations have called for a reconsideration of the upcoming Elephant Festival in Sauraha, Chitwan.
In a joint statement issued on Monday evening, the groups urged the festival organizers to halt harmful practices and respect the natural behavior of elephants, specifically requesting the suspension of elephant football and penalty events.
The statement, signed by 27 organizations, emphasized that while some welfare efforts have been made, training elephants for entertainment purposes—such as rallies, beauty contests, and sports activities—remains unnatural, inhumane, and stressful, causing significant physical and psychological harm.
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The groups highlighted elephants’ intelligence, social nature, and sensitivity, urging that their dignity and natural behaviors should not be sacrificed in the name of tourism. They also requested that materials like calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate, commonly used in white paint for elephant decoration, and colors made from red sindur or vermilion, should not be applied as they can harm the animals’ eyes and skin.
The organizations appealed to the government, tourism bodies, festival organizers, and sponsors to prioritize conservation and natural behavior, promoting elephant-friendly ethical tourism instead of entertainment-driven events.
The Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival is scheduled to take place in Sauraha from December 26 to 28.
