Rajaji Park to host elephant safari after eight years

Abhyudaya Kotnala

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 9

Soon wildlife lovers will get a chance to enjoy the beauty of wilderness on elephant back at the Rajaji National Park. The park authorities have got the permission to start an elephant safari from November 15, the next opening season. It was after a long gap of eight years that elephant safari would restart in the park. The elephant safari was discontinued in 2007 after the death of 10-year-old female elephant Arundhati.

The park officials are excited after getting clearance from the higher authorities to operate safari in the park as it will attract more tourists and generate higher revenue. Currently the park has four elephants and permission has been granted for the use of two tuskers, Raja and Yogi, for the use of safari. The park officials are also in touch to get permission for the use of two female elephants, Radha and Rangili. Presently, both of them are court property.

One of the official of the park said the elephant safari had remained a main attraction for any national park, but after the death of Arundhati, the park got a setback as the park was famous for its jumbos only. “The park has all the facility to operate elephant safari. We will now workout the issues like fee and area of safari,” the official said.

“Currently, we have got the permission for two male elephants and hopefully the authorities will allow us for another two female elephants for the safari. First we will use them for patrolling purpose and later for safari from November 15,” said Neena Grewal, Director Rajaji National Park.