CHITTOOR: Deputy Chief Minister (Environment and Forest) K Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the Kumki Elephant Training Camp at Musalimadugu in Palamaner mandal of Chittoor district on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, he directed forest officials to implement measures in a time-bound manner to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the State.
Making a PowerPoint presentation on the HANUMAN (Human-Animal Conflict Mitigation) programme, Anantapur Conservator of Forest Yeshodabhai explained the initiatives taken to prevent elephant and leopard attacks, and reduce the monkey menace in human habitations.
The initiatives include tracking elephant herds using radio frequency tags, GPS, and thermal drone cameras, and formation of animal rescue teams across the State. Volunteers will also be trained in catching snakes and monkeys in urban areas. Emphasis has also been laid on protection of people living in forest fringe areas.
The Deputy Chief Minister has convened a meeting in Vijayawada on November 18 to finalise the strategy to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Earlier, the Deputy CM inspected the Kumki elephants, observed their daily routine, and witnessed a parade of five trained elephants. He also fed the elephants, and recorded videos on his phone.
Solar-powered hanging fence to deter entry of wild tuskers
The 20-acre Kumki camp, set up with four trained elephants brought from Karnataka, is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh.
Under the ecotourism project, visitors will be allowed to spend time at the camp to learn about elephant behaviour.
The facility will also serve as a base for rapid-response teams to monitor the movement of wild elephants, and prevent attacks on agricultural crops.
Pawan Kalyan laid the foundation stone for the Gajaramam Urban Forest Park, and launched a solar-powered hanging fence to prevent elephant intrusions.
He further initiated a Miyawaki-style mini-forest plantation covering 250 square metres near the camp, planting Indian Gooseberry (Usiri) saplings.
At the helipad, Pawan Kalyan received petitions from local residents, and interacted with farmers who lost their crops in elephant attacks. Palamaner MLA N Amarnath Reddy, Chittoor District Collector Sumit Kumar, SP Tushar Dudi, and DFO Subbaraju,participated.