Four community forests along the Chitwan National Park (CNP)'s buffer zone have got permission for operating elephant safari. 

Sauraha of Chitwan is famous for the elephant riding and attracts a large number of tourists to the town. Now, tourists can enjoy the elephant ride in the western Chitwan as well. 

Batuli, Dakshinkali, Nawajyoti and Bandevi Community Forests have been granted the permission for taking tourists for an elephant ride around the Bishajari Pond that is in the World Ramsar (wetland) list. 

CNP Information officer and assistant conservation officer Nurendra Aryal confirmed the issuance of the elephant riding license to four community forests. 

Elephant riding is the first choice of most tourists visiting the park, he said. They want to catch the view of diversities of flora and fauna riding on elephants. 

Four community forests along the buffer zone have been allowed to operate eight elephants for tourists, according to Dakshinkali Community Forest Users Group treasurer Bishnu Tiwari, adding that they plan to launch the elephant safari within a couple of days. RSS