States » EastPosted at: Oct 24 2026 9:11PM


A song, a banana & a special bond: Oraon’s date with Krishnakali in Gorumara

By Manas Banerjee
Siliguri, Oct 24 (UNI) A banana offered, a trunk reaching out for more and a song playing in the background made for a heartwarming scene at Gachhbari in Gorumara National Park in Dooars.
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon spent some time with Krishnakali on Friday, a female elephant raised under the care of forest officials after she was rescued as a tiny calf.
The minister later shared a video of the interaction on social media, accompanied by a Hindi song about a free-spirited person who moves through life like the wind and a flying kite.
Krishnakali, whom the minister described as “Gorumara’s pride”, appeared eager to receive more bananas from him. Whenever Oraon turned towards another elephant with a banana, she seemed ready to ask for another share.
The minister enjoyed feeding the elephants as forest personnel and mahouts tried to keep the eager animals in line. Their attempts to make the elephants wait for their turn added to the charm of the scene. At least 10 trained male and female elephants were present during the interaction.
Oraon offered ripe bananas to them one after another, pausing to watch their reactions. However, Krishnakali remained the focus of the video.
According to the account shared by the minister, Krishnakali was rescued by forest personnel on September 30, 2024, from the bank of the Jaldhaka river near Heela Tea Estate. She was only 15 days old at the time. Since then, she has grown under the care and supervision of forest officials at Gorumara.
From a vulnerable calf rescued from a riverbank, Krishnakali has grown into a much-loved elephant associated with the park. The minister’s description of her as “Gorumara’s pride” reflected the special place she holds in the hearts of those who care for her.
During the interaction, Oraon also appeared to examine Krishnakali’s trunk, seemingly checking whether she had any difficulty with it. The visit to Gachhbari was also aimed at promoting Gorumara and its forest-based tourism attractions.
Elephant safaris are among the experiences that draw visitors to the Dooars, allowing them to enjoy the region’s wildlife and natural surroundings. The forest department has issued a notification on tourist access to the attraction, and online ticket booking has begun. The response has reportedly been encouraging.
The video, however, offered more than a glimpse of the tourism potential of Gorumara. The song accompanying it spoke of a free spirit whose absence leaves others searching for the joy and movement that once filled their lives.
Against the backdrop of Krishnakali’s playful interaction with the minister, the song added a reflective touch to the scene.
For a few moments, the minister’s official role gave way to the simple pleasure of feeding elephants. Krishnakali reached out for another banana while the other elephants waited for their share.
Oraon smiled as the forest personnel and mahouts tried to manage the enthusiastic animals. Through this affectionate encounter, Krishnakali emerged as an unlikely ambassador for Gorumara, showing how the stories of individual animals and the people who care for them can add a human touch to wildlife tourism in the Dooars.
UNI MBN BM
Tags: #A song# a banana & a special bond: Oraon’s date with Krishnakali in Gorumara
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