The elephants aligned in a single file feasted on their favourite foods placed on a table decorated with sugar canes, bananas, apples and oranges. The event, inaugurated by Education Minister Chitralekha Yadav, organised in a bid to create awareness about the behaviour, diet, and handling of elephants to the staff, locals and tourists, succeeded in garnering their attention. As hundreds of people gathered during the event, security personnel had a hard time controlling the crowd.

“I had only seen elephant races. It was great to also see them feast,” said an elated onlooker Hom Kumari Neupane, suggesting that such events should be given continuity in future.

People seemed to enjoy elephant picnic more than elephant races and calf football. “The elephants are like our friends and this picnic has managed to send a strong message that they should be loved and provided with proper care,” said veterinarian Kamal Gaire at CNP. About 100 elephants of the CNP, private sector and Elephant Breeding Centre in the district and 13 elephants from Jagatpur and Meghauli had participated in the event that lasted for more than an hour. Along with the elephants, even the mahuts had participated in the picnic.

While hotel entrepreneurs were delighted to have been able to organise the event, coordinator Rishi Tiwari of the elephant race said that the event had helped strengthen the bond between humans and elephants. “The event was well-received and we intend to give continuity to it,” said former chairperson, Shankar Sainju of RHAN.