HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, April 7: President of India, Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Gaj Utsav-2023 at the Kaziranga National Park on Friday.
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Speaking on the occasion, the President said, “There is a very sacred relationship between nature and humanity. The culture of respecting nature has been the identity of our country. In India, nature and culture have been linked to each other and have been receiving nourishment from each other. Elephants have been most respected in our tradition. It has been considered a symbol of prosperity. It is the National Heritage Animal of India. Therefore, protecting elephants is an important part of our national responsibility to preserve our national heritage.”
President Droupadi Murmu also urged people to treat elephants with compassion and keep elephant corridors free from obstructions to facilitate their easy movement.
If a deep analysis of the human-elephant conflict (HEC) is carried out, it is evident that there are obstructions along their natural corridors and “humans are responsible for this”, Murmu said.
“Elephants are wise and kind animals, and people should treat them with compassion,” the President said at the inauguration of the ‘Gaj Utsav-2023′ here on the second day of her Assam visit.
Dealing with HEC is both the aim and challenge of ‘Project Elephant’, which is completing 30 years, she said.
“It is our duty to conserve elephant corridors as these can serve as carbon sinks and help people tackle the challenges of climate change,” Murmu said, as she called upon all stakeholders to join hands to deal with the situation.
Elephants live in herds and if anyone faces trouble, others help overcome it. “This is something that humans must learn.”
Referring to the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Elephant Whisperers’, she said the Adivasi community has a deep love for nature, birds and animals.
“I also had an attachment with elephants since childhood and when I saw Bellie and Bomman (characters in the documentary) taking care of the orphaned elephants, I felt proud of them.
“What further touched me was that they always entered the forests barefoot as a mark of respect, and today when I took the jeep safari in the Kaziranga National Park, the officials and guards told me that they also accord the same respect to forests,” Murmu said.
Assam has the second highest population of elephants in the country, and a considerable number of domesticated elephants, she said.
“It is, therefore, undoubtedly the right place where the ‘Gaj Utsav’ should be held… Nature is also inextricably linked with festive occasions and Assam’s ‘Bihu’ is an example of this,” Murmu added.
Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among those present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion the Governor said, “I thank the President for her gesture in coming to Assam’s Kaziranga National Park for the inauguration of Gaj Utsav. Her presence will really help the state in its motivation to take the elephant project to a greater height of its success. Assam has been doing a lot of activities towards the protection and conservation of elephants. This Gaj Utsav will help the state in augmenting its efforts towards elephant protection.”
The Governor also said that Assam is already blessed with reserve forests, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks scattered across the state. These forests provide ideal habitats for the elephant population.
“Therefore, this Gaj Utsav will give the state new momentum to take the elephant project to its logical conclusion,” the Governor added. (With inputs from PTI)
