Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Andhra Pradesh Kumki Elephant Operations Face Opposition From Odisha Villagers
Officials in Andhra Pradesh are using trained Kumki elephants to guide wild elephants back into forests.
They want to stop the animals from damaging farms and plantations.
However, villagers on the Odisha side are reportedly sending the elephants back into Andhra Pradesh.
This makes it difficult to keep the herds inside forest areas.
Farmers worry that people could again be hurt, as happened in 2017 when 13 people died.
They say Andhra Pradesh needs Odisha's cooperation.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Kolli Sambamurthy called for stronger action.
He said the central government could help if necessary, and suggested moving the elephants to Vizag Zoo as another option.
Andhra Pradesh Forest officials are using Kumki elephants to push wild elephants toward forests.
Villagers across the Odisha border are reportedly driving the elephants back into Andhra Pradesh.
The operation aims to protect crops and plantations near forests from elephant herds.
Farmers fear a repeat of 2017, when elephant raids killed 13 people in Andhra Pradesh.
Officials have not commented, while calls grow for coordination between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Forest officials, farmers, Odisha villagers, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, and wild elephant herds are involved.
- What
- Kumki elephant efforts to return wild elephants to forests are facing resistance from across the state border.
- When
- The report does not specify a publication date; it refers to the 2017 elephant raids as a past event.
- Where
- Along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, particularly in Parvathipuram Manyam district.
- Why
- The operation seeks to prevent wild elephants from damaging crops and plantations and reduce the risk to residents.
Andhra Pradesh Operation Supporters
Odisha-Side Resistance
Where the elephants should go
Andhra Pradesh Operation Supporters
Andhra Pradesh officials and farmers want wild elephant herds driven back into forest areas to protect farms and plantations.
Odisha-Side Resistance
Villagers across the Odisha border are reportedly driving the elephants back into Andhra Pradesh, preventing the herds from remaining in the forests.
How to resolve the problem
Andhra Pradesh Operation Supporters
Farmers and local leaders are calling for cooperation between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, potentially with central government involvement.
Odisha-Side Resistance
The articles do not provide an official explanation or position from Odisha authorities or villagers about the reported actions.
Alternative to repeated relocation
Andhra Pradesh Operation Supporters
Kolli Sambamurthy said the elephants could be captured and moved to Vizag Zoo if relocation efforts continue to fail.
Odisha-Side Resistance
No opposing alternative from Odisha authorities is stated in the report.
- Operation
- Kumki elephants are being used to push wild elephants back toward forests.
- Location
- The reported conflict is along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border in Parvathipuram Manyam district.
- Reported obstacle
- Villagers across the Odisha border are reportedly driving the elephants back into Andhra Pradesh.
- 2017 deaths
- Thirteen people died when elephant herds from Odisha raided farmlands in Andhra Pradesh.
- Political involvement
- Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan helped lead efforts to commission Kumki elephants.
- Proposed coordination
- There have been calls for discussions between the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha forest ministers.
- Alternative proposal
- Kolli Sambamurthy suggested capturing the elephants and moving them to Vizag Zoo if needed.