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Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh), November 9 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan on Sunday inaugurated the Kumki Elephant Training Center in Chittoor district of the state.
A 20-acre center has been set up at Muslimidugu village adjacent to Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary in Palamaner mandal to train Kumki elephants to track and control the movement of wild elephants straying into human habitations.
In May, Andhra Pradesh brought four Kumki elephants from Karnataka to stop wild animals wandering in villages.
Wild jumbos are entering Andhra Pradesh from neighboring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka through the Mudumalai and Bannerghatta sanctuaries along the Western Ghats. They often invade fields and cause extensive damage to crops, and pose a threat to human life.
According to an official release, forest officials briefed the Deputy Chief Minister about the important role of Kumkis in reducing the increasing human-elephant conflict in western Chittoor and adjoining Annamayya and Tirupati districts.
Forest officials explained in detail how trained elephants were used to safely return the wild jumbo to its habitat and the Kaundinya sanctuary.
Pawan Kalyan was told that 23 people died in Kuppam, Palamaner and Chittoor ranges since 2021 due to elephant attacks. Wild Jumbo also damaged crops on more than 4,000 acres.
The Deputy CM inspected the centre, took keen interest in various aspects of the training, interacted with the mahouts and gifted them Rs 50,000 from his personal funds.
He also observed the kumkis performing manoeuvres, captured them on his camera and fed them to the elephants.
The Deputy Chief Minister also unveiled the poster of Project Hanuman (Treatment and Nutrition Units for monitoring, assistance and nursing of wild animals).
The initiative aims to strengthen wildlife care, rehabilitation and conflict management through systematic monitoring and modern veterinary support.
Officials briefed Pawan Kalyan about the 11 main components of the project, including setting up of rapid response teams, wildlife rescue units, animal health care facilities and awareness programs in forest habitations.
Pawan Kalyan directed the officials to prepare a detailed roadmap with defined targets and timelines for effective implementation.
The Deputy CM said that both Kumki Camp and Project Hanuman will play a strategic role in protecting wildlife while ensuring the safety of local communities.
He directed that a new app be developed with advanced technology so that information related to the movement of animals can be available to the public at any time. He wanted the app to be available by March 3, 2026.
He suggested that officials of Forest Department, Panchayat Raj and Agriculture and Horticulture Department should establish coordination on the issue of taking Hanuman Project forward. He asked officials to review the progress of the project in the third week of November.
Pawan Kalyan also underlined the need to identify alternatives to crops being seriously damaged by elephants and convince farmers to adopt alternative crops. There are many mango orchards in Chittoor district and elephants are attracted to such crops. “We should coordinate with the concerned departments on the impact of changes in those crops on farmers’ income. We should focus on alternative sources of income like beekeeping and eco-tourism development,” he said.
Officials said they have received permission from the Center to implement a special radio collar system for the elephants. This will help in tracking the movement of elephants and alerting citizens living on the periphery of the forests.
–IANS
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