Likewise, enjoying sunset at the bank of Rapti River and observing Tharu cultural programs and other activities are the second and the third most preferred activities by tourists visiting Chitwan National Park (CNP) - one of the leading tourist destinations in the country. [break]
Because of this specific preference pattern of visitors, the volume of elephant safari activity rose by 50 percent in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, show statistics. Data of Elephant Safari Operating Co-operatives reveals that 32,291 foreign tourists enjoyed elephant safari during the period this year.
A total of 4,833 visitors from South Asian countries as well as 24,275 domestic tourists too had enjoyed the ride during the period this year.
“This is a very encouraging rise in business,” said Shankar Sainju, coordinator of the cooperatives in Sauraha.
A total of about 27,000 overseas visitors had enjoyed elephant safari along with 7,000 South Asian tourists and 26,000 domestic visitors last year.
Likewise, the volume of business of elephant safari operated by CNP as well as National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) too has jumped in a similar fashion.
“Journey on elephant back is really enjoying,” said John Howard, who along with his family members, had reached the park and was enjoying Safari with the commencement of fresh tourist season. Other visitors too were eagerly queuing for the ride on Friday.
“There is no fun without elephant ride in CNP,” said Dipak Shrestha, who had traveled to Chitwan from Kathmandu to enjoy safari.
Sauraha -- the gateway to CNP -- is the third major tourism destination in the country. According to entrepreneurs, visitors mostly go for elephant safari to observe wild species like one-horned rhino and Royal Bengal Tiger.
“Safari on elephant back is the most convenient way to observe one-horned rhino, tiger, different varieties of deer, bear, peacock and other flora and fauna,” said Damodar Regmi of Regional Hotel Association, Sauraha.
Apart from rare sightseeing, tourists also take elephant ride for fun like water sprinkling activities one the banks of Rapti River on a hot day.
A total of 41 elephants of private entrepreneurs and additional four elephants each of CNP and NTNC are catering safari services to the visitors. The operators accommodate four riders at a time for a trip, which lasts for about 2 hours. Amid growing demand, each elephant makes as much as five such trips a day.
Each overseas tourist can enjoy the ride by paying Rs 1,500, while domestic travelers are charged Rs 470 per person. Entrepreneurs have to pay Rs 500 as a royalty to CNP and another Rs 300 to the local community forest. Likewise, they pay Rs 20 to CNP and Rs 300 to the community forestr from the fee collected from domestic tourists.
Related story
Elephant Safari launched in western Chitwan
-1200x560_20221214140537.jpg)
