Guwahati: The Kaziranga National Park will be closed to visitors on April 6 and 7 for jeep and elephant safaris in all ranges, according to the Assam Forest Department.
This decision has been taken in view of the ‘Gaj Utsav 2023’.
A notice from the Divisional Forest Officer of the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division read, “In view of the celebration of ‘Gaj Utsav 2023’ organized by the Environment and Forest Department, Govt. of Assam and MoEF & CC, Govt. of India, the Jeep Safari & Elephant Safari in all ranges viz., Kaziranga, Bagori, Burapahar and Agortali shall be closed for tourists from 6th to 8th April, 2023.”
Significantly, President Droupadi Murmu will travel to Kaziranga on April 6 for a two-day visit to take part in the celebration of Elephant festival. President Murmu is set to take a jeep and elephant safari in the national park to view and take in its breathtaking views.
Gaj Utsav is a yearly organised festival held in the national park for the preservation and protection of Asiatic elephants. It is jointly organised by the forest department and the tourism department with the goal of bringing attention to and resolving the state’s growing man-elephant conflict.
Many decorated domestic Asian elephants take part in parades, races, football games and dancing performances, winning the admiration of the audience.