Mastablasta band at the Calabar Carnival 2014

Preparations for the 2015 Calabar Carnival have begun at its new venue, Old Calabar Zoo Garden, with demolition and clearing of old structures by the state government.

Officials of Cross River Forestry Commission today marked the grounds of the venue while the demolition of structures and clearing of debris continued.

Mr Kenneth Aklah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Events Management told NAN that new structures, suitable for the carnival would be constructed, adding that bidding for jobs at the venue had also begun.

Aklah said that the old garden was chosen as venue for the festival to reflect the theme of the 2015 edition, which is “Climate Change.’’

“We decided to move the venue to the garden in line with this year’s theme; it is aimed at showcasing our natural forest.

“Forest is our natural endowment and we want tourists to savour our green environment; this is one initiative we are bringing into the carnival this year, ‘’ he said.

He also said that this year’s carnival scheduled to hold from Dec. 1 to Jan.1, 2016, had been packaged so as to encourage investors and participants.

“Staging social activities in the village will boost economic activities and encourage investors, ‘’ he said.

He said that the forestry commission, Calabar Urban Development Authority and the state’s Water Board were working together to ensure the preservation of the environment during and after the festival.