Gajo Utsav was inaugurated by Shri K Bala Murugan, IFS, CCF, West Bengal Forest Department. The event also witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries such as Shri Ajay Singh ADRM Railways, Dr. Pranab Ghosh (Prof of Chemistry Department and Vice Chancellor of Dakhin Dinajpur University), Smt. Abhaya Bose (Mayor in council, Siliguri Municipality), Shri Rahul Mukherjee (ADFO, Kurseong), Shri. Sandeep K Tiwari (Chief of Conservation and VP, Wildlife Trust of India), alongside other esteemed guests representing the Legislation, District Administration, Forest Department, Media and civil society.

Gajo Utsav campaign launch in North Bengal University | Photograph by Madhumay Mallik/WTI

 The launch ceremony was marked by the unveiling of an elephant art piece created by Smt. Dolon Kundu Mondal, a Pinch Pottery Master and a National Handicrafts Awardee. This was followed by a panel discussion on securing the right of passage for elephants in West Bengal, comprising Smt. Abhaya Bose, Member, Mayor-in-Council (MMIC), Shri. Narayan Singha Roy, 24 Ghanta, Shri. Tarak Sarkar, Bureau Chief, ANI,  Shri Rahul Mukherjee, Assistant Divisional Officer, Kurseong Division, WB Forest Department,  Dr. Arpan Kumar Maiti, Assistant Professor, Zoology Dept, North Bengal University and Dr. Sandeep K Tiwari, Chief of Conservation and Vice President, Wildlife Trust of India. The event also featured cultural performances, designed to highlight the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures and their habitats.

Gaj Utsav is a visionary campaign by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) with a mission to raise awareness about safeguarding the future of India’s National Heritage Animal, through shared ownership and peaceful coexistence. Since its inception in 2018, this campaign has been creating a significant impact across elephant range states in India. This unique Public-Private Partnership will take forward the vision of bringing the Gajah (elephant) to the Prajah (public) through the elephant districts of the state. The West Bengal leg of the campaign (Gajo Utsav) is supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and is a collaboration with local NGOs, including SNAP Foundation, SPOAR and NWA.

felicitation of panelists during Gajo Utsav 2026 | Photograph by Madhumay Mallik/WTI

This year’s celebration in West Bengal marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts to safeguard these magnificent animals and their habitats. Over the last 5 years, the campaign has successfully engaged with over 3,00,000 people across the country.

Mr. K Bala Murugan IFS, CCF, West Bengal Forest Department said, “It is difficult for the Forest Department in isolation to manage both humans and wildlife. We need all stakeholders to join hands to achieve the connective conservation that will secure the future of our country. We are happy that Wildlife Trust of India has brought Gajo Utsav to the state of West Bengal, and we extend all our support to this initiative.” Ajay Singh, ARDM Katihar, representing the North-East Frontier Railways said that “Through strategic manning and the use of technology, the North-East Frontier Railways have been able to save more than 160 elephants in the past year. We hope to increase these numbers, and collaborations such as Gajo Utsav certainly would play a helping role in ensuring this.”

Chief guest K Bala Murugan, IFS, addressing the audience during the launch of Gajo Utsav | Photograph by Madhumay Mallik/WTI

Securing safe passage for elephants is no longer only a conservation priority—it is a societal responsibility. The aim of Gaj Utsav, is to build public awareness and political commitment to protect elephant corridors, reduce conflict, and ensure that elephants have the Right of Passage through their landscapes. “Gajo Utsav is where conservation meets celebration. It brings people together to honour elephants, the landscapes they move through, and the communities that share space with them. Through culture, dialogue, and collective action, we hope to make protecting elephant corridors something everyone feels proud to be part of,” said Saymanti Bandyopadhyay, Manager and Head, Natural Heritage Campaigns, WTI.

Gajomoti, the elephant artwork by President awardee Dolon Kundu Mondal, unveiled at the event | Photograph by Madhumay Mallik/WTI

West Bengal is home to over 600 elephants spanning two elephant reserves and having 16 identified elephant corridors. While these majestic animals roam freely across the country’s vast landscapes, they face challenges in their right to move across their natural habitats. Gajo Utsav seeks to encourage collective action among policymakers, media, infrastructure agencies, legal professionals, and wildlife experts, fostering insightful discussions on challenges, conservation strategies, and sustainable development models for elephant protection.