Amaravati, July 29 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests, Pawan Kalyan, on Wednesday inaugurated a Kumki elephant camp in Parvathipuram-Manyam district and termed it a new chapter in mitigating human-elephant conflict in North Andhra.
The camp aims to effectively manage the movement of wild elephants, protect human lives and farmers’ crops, and resolve the long-standing human-elephant conflict.
He stated that the government has the responsibility for both public safety and wildlife conservation.
Virtually inaugurating the camp which has been set up at Gutchimi in Seethanagaram mandal of Parvathipuram-Manyam district, he said that sustainable progress is possible only when there is a balance between development and environmental conservation.
“Nature does not belong to us; we belong to nature. Therefore, we must live in harmony with it,” he said.
District In-charge Minister and Minister for Agriculture, K. Atchannaidu, and Minister for Tribal Welfare, Gummadi Sandhya Rani, participated in the event.
Pawan Kalyan said issues such as elephants straying from forest areas into villages, destroying farmers’ crops, and people living in fear at night have persisted for a long time in Parvathipuram- Manyam district.
“Viewing it as the government’s responsibility to provide a permanent solution, we established the Gutchimi Elephant Holding Area. This centre marks the beginning of a new chapter in mitigating human-elephant conflict in North Andhra,” he said.
The Deputy CM mentioned that during complex operations in the Palamaner region of Chittoor district, Kumki elephants—Jayanth and Abhimanyu—worked effectively in coordination with Forest Department officials and staff. By utilising modern technology, they managed to reduce fatalities caused by human-elephant conflict by over 70 per cent and significantly minimise crop losses.
He stated that the government is determined to achieve similar success in Parvathipuram-Manyam district. I dedicate this elephant camp to the people of Andhra Pradesh, hoping it will serve as a platform for harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants, he said.
He thanked the government of Karnataka and its people for sending four kumki elephants to Andhra Pradesh and termed this is a testament to their generosity and spirit of friendship. “People there regard the gifting of elephants as akin to sharing wealth. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Karnataka for sending these elephants out of love and concern for the safety of the Telugu people,” he said.
–IANS
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