Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 12: The Nandankanan Zoo, on the outskirts of the city, celebrated the World Elephants Day Wednesday on its premises amid much fanfare. Notwithstanding the intermittent rain during the morning hours, the authorities observed the day with pomp and gaiety. Scores of students from several institutions in the city and nearby Barang attended the programme.
Decked up with floral designs and customised appliqué apparel, all the eight elephants on the zoo premises looked elegant, wooed the visitors and children. Visitors including kids, meanwhile, were allowed to feed banana, sugarcane and other fruits to the jumbos.
It was for the first time that a state-level elephant and world elephants’ day was celebrated simultaneously on the same day. Earlier, a state-level Elephant Day was observed October 4, 2014.
Additional chief secretary of forest and environment, UN Behera, principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden SS Srivastav and chief conservator of forests and director of Nandankanan Zoo Sudarshan Panda attended the programme and fed the elephants with banana and other fruits.
A cycle rally was also flagged off from Nandankanan Zoo to the Chandaka Elephants Sanctuary in which more than 20 cyclists participated. The rally was organised to spread awareness about elephant conservation.
Attending the programme as the chief guest, UN Behera said, “Man-animal conflict always existed in the annals of history. But man being superior to animals, it is our job to work for the welfare of all living beings. Thanks to the initiative of the state government, the forest department and Nandankanan Zoo authorities have helped multiply the population of elephants in the state. Development is necessary for which man has entered the habitats of elephants to their detriment. The jumbos enter the villages and damage properties of farmers triggering a conflict, but we have to understand the reasons behind the man-animal conflict.”
“There are 14 elephant corridors in the state, but some of them are affected by deforestation. Now, we are focusing on healing the damage done by planting as many trees as possible to reduce the impact of deforestation. The protection of the animals as well as the forests is of equal important for the conservation process,” he said.
Nandankanan director Dr Sudarshan Panda said, “The significance of the day is to create awareness among people and also to give them opportunity to mingle with elephants.”
Many visitors, however, were disappointed that the programme took place so early and that they did not have the opportunity to see the elephants from close quarters. “I didn’t get a chance to see the decorated animals. I thought the programme will continue till 10am but found that it lasted only for a few minutes. My kids were very excited about the event but unfortunately didn’t get a scope to feed them,” said Rashmi Panigrahi, a visitor.
