Baripada: On the occasion of World Elephant Day, the Similipal Tiger Reserve Project marked the event with a unique celebration — the worship of trained “kunki” elephants deep inside the forest. The initiative aimed to spread awareness and foster public affection for the gentle giants.
The ceremony was held at the elephant camp under the South Division of the Similipal Tiger Reserve, with forest department officials participating in the rituals. The event was designed to highlight the vital role elephants play as guardians of biodiversity and the importance of their conservation.
Officials noted that, thanks to sustained protection measures, Similipal has reported no incidents of elephant poaching over the past one-and-a-half years. Any elephant deaths during this period, they clarified, were due to natural causes.
“Elephants are not just part of the forest; they are invaluable custodians of our ecological heritage. Protecting them is among the greatest gifts we can give to nature,” the department stated.
