COIMBATORE: Farmers in Thekkampatti village of Mettupalayam urged the government to shift the proposed elephant rejuvenation camp to another location, claiming that it could intensify wild elephant intrusions into their already drought-hit farmlands.
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister announced in the Assembly that `3 crore has been allocated to revive the camp on the banks of the Bhavani River at Thekkampatti. The camp has not been conducted for the past five years.
Local farmers from Thekkampatti and Nellithurai panchayats say the site lies on a traditional wild elephant migration corridor and is a regular watering point.
Blocking these paths, they said, will force wild elephants into nearby villages such as Thekkampatti, Dasanur, NG Pudur, RG Pudur, Thottadasanur, Nellithurai and Kittampalayam, where the animals routinely destroy crops and attack residents.
"The camp is planned during the breeding season and will mainly house female temple elephants, which could attract more wild males. Surrounding agricultural lands make crop damage highly likely, and farmers complain that adequate compensation is rarely paid. Visitor vehicles and temporary roadside shops along the Thekkampatti-Vanapathirakali Amman road also create severe traffic congestion," said R Dhilipkumar from Thekkampatti.
"Past incidents of wild elephants entering the camp and attacking temple elephants and mahouts have heightened concerns. Already struggling with drought, the farmers say the camp threatens their livelihoods and public safety," he added.