CHENNAI: The annual 48-day rejuvenation camp for some 100 elephants belonging to various temples in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry besides those managed by the Forest department would begin from December 11.
As part of the camp, the pachyderms would be taken to Bhavani Riverbed in Coimbatore district and the government would bear the entire expenses of Rs 89.84 lakh, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said in an official release.
In addition to the 45 elephants belonging to various temples and the famous Nagore Durgah in Tamil Nadu and two shrines in Puducherry, 53 elephants that are managed under the Forest Department would also be taken for the camp.
The Chief Minister said elephants which cannot be taken for the camp due to health issues may be attended to in the respective places itself.
The camp would be held from December 11 to January 27 at the Bhavani riverbed in Coimbatore district, while the camp for elephants managed by Forest department would be conducted in Nilgiris, Salem and at the Vandalur Zoo near Chennai, it said.