CHITWAN: Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Gita Chaudhary, has spoken the need to further sytemataise the Sauraha-based Elephant Breeding and Training Centre and develop it as a major tourist destination.

She called for systematically operate the facility that welcomes around 20 million tourists every year. Following her visit to the Centre, the Minister pledged that the Ministry would lend necessary support for its better handling and operation.

The Minister also inquired about the problems related to the Centre and permanent appointments of the employees working there.

She also instructed the people concerned to pay special attention to the rearing and management of animals in the center and along the park area.

Presently, the center is home to nine female elephants and seven calves. The calves raised here are trained and mobilized for various tasks.

Earlier, chief conservation officer at the Chitwan National Park (CNP), Dil Bahadur Pun, had briefed Minister Chaudhary about the condition of the Centre and issues it has been facing.

Minister Chaudhary met the parents of 21-year-old Ashika Bote and her four-year-old son Bharat Bote, who were killed by wild elephant in Bharatpur Metropolis-23 on July 4. The Minister also met Surya Mahato of Seruwa, Madi Municipality-1, who has been living with disability following a tiger attack and Mangale Bote of the same ward, who was injured in a rhino attack.

Each victim has been provided with monetary assistance of Rs. 500,000 for their livelihood, Minister Chaudhary said, adding that reducing human-wildlife conflict is a priority of the government.