In a bid to control the wild elephants that have been causing significant damage to agricultural lands in areas like Kannivadi, Neelamalai Kottai, Pannai Patti, and Kombei in Dindigul district, two trained kumki elephants, Chinnathambi from Topslip and Krishna from Mudumalai, have been brought in. These kumki elephants are specifically trained to handle wild elephant control operations and are essential in guiding wild elephants back to their natural habitat, ensuring the safety of farmers and their crops.
The operation is being led by forest officials from the Vaigai Dam area under the guidance of D. Thilapan, the Forest Range Officer. Rapid response teams from various forest ranges, including Ottanchatram and Vathalagundu, have been mobilized to assist in this operation. These teams are working with high urgency and precision, ensuring that the wild elephants are safely and swiftly driven back into the forest areas, away from human settlements.
The forest authorities have been actively monitoring the movements of the wild elephants and are employing all necessary measures to protect the crops and ensure the safety of the villagers. Under the supervision of Arumugam, the Forest Officer of the Kannivadi range, these actions are being closely coordinated to manage the situation effectively. The use of kumki elephants is considered to be the most efficient and humane way to manage wild elephant conflicts, and this intervention is expected to bring relief to the affected farmers and communities.
