E-Paper
Let the elephants too enjoy democracy
The monarchy in Nepal seems to be losing control over the country's wildlife assets, which were earlier named after the members of the royal family. Now they no more bound to carry the same.
The monarchy in Nepal seems to be losing control over the country's wildlife assets, especially with the baby elephants of the Chitawan National Park which were earlier named after the members of the royal family. Now they no more bound to carry the same.
One of the new born tamed elephants of the wildlife reserve, a popular tourist spot, has got the name of "Lokatantra Kali".
Chitrasen Kali, Saraswoti Kali, Naryani Kali, Tamur Kali, Tirthaprasad, Love Prasad, Ser Prasad, Kush Prasad and Krishna Prasad are some of the new names allotted to the new born baby elephants, whose names were suggested by the national park staff themselves, according to park sources.
The wildlife staff is happy to give 13 new names to the new born baby elephants after King Gyanendra relinquished power through a popular uprising last year.
Recalling the scary memories of King Gyanendra's 14 month direct rule, a staff at the elephant breeding centre Rajendra Panuhar says, "The army had scolded me when I told them the elephant with the name Paras is a bad one."
Paras is also the name of the Crown Prince, who is well known for his notorious activities.
"Actually, I didn't mean to hurt the Crown Prince, but I just tried to describe the character of that elephant. The army men sought clarification from me, which turned my eyes full of tears," he recalls.
