Trevor's Travels

Canoe crossing on the Rapti River, Nepal

After our visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre at Chitwan National Park we had to cross the Rapti River in a dug out canoe. The river was relatively shallow at this point but the water was flowing quite quickly. The canoe operator had to use all his skills to get us across without too much drama.

As you can see in the photo above the evening was still quite foggy and misty. The setting sun over the river gave a lovely effect I think. At dusk that night we were treated to some traditional Nepalese dancing in the gardens of the hotel. This dancing was accompanied by some very enthusiastic drummers. After this cultural display we were treated to a traditional Nepalese meal in the dining room. This was rice and dhaal bart, spicy chicken and vegetables followed by fried banana. It was all delicious.

Elephant Breeding Centre, Nepal

Elephant Breeding Centre, Nepal

After our canoe ride on the river in Chitwan National Park we went on an hour’s visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre. This is a government run agency attempting to breed elephants. It is open to the public every day and while it is a little depressing to realise that the elephants are tied up at night the centre seems to have the right motives and methods.

Elephant Breeding Centre, Nepal

I am no expert on elephant breeding and my comments are merely a reflection of those made at the time by our guide for the afternoon. The elephants are tied up in an enclosure each night to stop them raiding the nearby farming land and doing immense damage to crops. The village and farming communities rely on their crops to eke out a meagre living. Their attitudes to the elephants would quickly change if they were allowed to rampage through the crops at random. There is a big enough problem with the occasional rogue rhinoceros raiding the crops. One rhino came through a nearby crop that night and we saw the damage next morning.