Droupadi Murmu To Launch Gaj Utsav in Kaziranga To Mark 30 Years Of Project Elephant

GUWAHATI: On April 7, President Droupadi Murmu will launch a two-day "Gaj Utsav" in Assam's Kaziranga National Park to celebrate the accomplishments of Project Elephant's 30 years and to bolster conservation efforts, according to Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Friday.

In order to conserve elephants, their habitat, and migration routes, reduce conflicts between humans and elephants, and assure the health of captive elephants in India, the government of India created Project Elephant in 1991–1992.

"In order to recognise Project Elephant's 30 years of operation, the government has chosen to have a Gaj Utsav celebration in Kaziranga National Park on April 7-8. On April 7, it will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu” Choubey told the local reporters. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Principal Conservators of Forests, Chief Wildlife Wardens, members of local communities, civil societies, NGOs, schoolchildren, mahouts, etc. will all attend this first-of-its-kind event.

The Wild Life Preservation Act of 1972 lists elephants as a Schedule I national heritage animal. More than 60% of the world's wild elephant population is in India. They are primarily found in the southern and north-eastern areas of India as well as the east-central and northern regions.

Both the second-largest population of wild elephants in India and a sizable population of elephants kept as pets are found in Assam.

On April 6 to 8, all ranges of Assam's Kaziranga National Park will remain closed to jeep and elephant safaris.The decision was made in light of Gaj Utsav 2023, according to a statement made by the Assam Forest Department on Wednesday.

The Assam forest department tweeted: "The Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari in all ranges, viz., Kaziranga, Bagori, Burapahar, and Agortali, shall be closed for tourists from April 6 to 8, 2023, 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.

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