The state forest department on Thursday announced that it will introduce another kunki or trained elephant for safari services from September 16 at Gorumara National Park in Jalpaiguri.
Elephant safaris are operated from the Dhupjhora elephant camp with three elephants. Because of growing tourist demand, the forest department decided to expand the service.
A department source said that the safari begins and ends at the Dhupjhora elephant camp. Online booking is available for two elephants, and one is reserved for offline bookings.
The park currently operates elephant safaris in four shifts daily, all during the day.
Officials of the Gorumara wildlife division communicated the decision during an administrative meeting at the district magistrate’s office.
“Like every year, forests will close down for tourists on June 16. On September 16, as the forests reopen, we will introduce an additional elephant for the safari,” said Dwijapratim Sen, the divisional forest officer.
Sabyasachi Roy, an advisor to the Jalpaiguri Tour Operators’ Welfare Association, said that although one elephant ride is technically kept for offline booking, ordinary tourists rarely get access due to VIP quotas.
“As a result, visitors compete online for the remaining safari slots. It is good that the department will introduce a fourth elephant as it would ease the pressure on bookings to some extent,” he said.
Jayanta Roy, the BJP MP of Jalpaiguri, who was present at the meeting, praised the initiative.
“It is a positive step toward eco-friendly tourism services. The forest department is taking initiatives to provide planned and environmentally responsible tourism facilities while ensuring the protection of forests and wildlife,” he said.