6 days ago
Kumki Elephants Fail To End Manyam Crop Losses
A group of 12 wild elephants is damaging crops in Parvathipuram Manyam.
The forest department brought two trained elephants, called kumkis, to help move them away.
The department spends about Rs.
7,500 each day feeding the two trained elephants.
It also hired 25 trackers to watch the wild herd.
Officials have tried twice to move the elephants, but the attempts have not solved the problem.
Rain has delayed another attempt.
Officials want to guide the herd back to Odisha, but Odisha has concerns about receiving more elephants.
Farmers want stronger protection because compensation for damaged crops is slow and not enough, they say.
Two trained kumki elephants, Jayant and Abhimanyu, were brought to Parvathipuram Manyam in July to drive away a herd of 12 wild elephants.
The forest department spends about Rs. 7,500 daily feeding the kumki elephants and has deployed 25 outsourced trackers.
Officials have made two attempts to move the herd, but rain has paused further action and the elephants remain in the district.
Efforts to return the herd to Odisha have been complicated by Odisha authorities’ concerns about accommodating more elephants.
Farmers say crop losses continue and that compensation is slow and inadequate compared with the need for a long-term solution.
- Who
- A herd of 12 wild elephants, two trained kumki elephants, forest officials, trackers, and affected farmers are involved.
- What
- The forest department is trying to move the wild elephant herd away from farmland and return it toward Odisha.
- Where
- The operation is taking place in Parvathipuram Manyam district, Andhra Pradesh, with the kumkis housed at Guchchimi reserve forest in Seethanagaram mandal.
- When
- The kumki elephants were brought in July; nearly two months later, the herd remained in the district, with further action paused because of rain.
- Why
- The operation aims to reduce continuing crop, property, and potential human losses caused by the wild elephant herd.
Forest Department Position
Farmers’ Concerns
Effectiveness of the operation
Forest Department Position
Forest officials say they have attempted twice to drive the herd away and plan another attempt when conditions improve.
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers say the elephant menace and repeated crop losses continue despite the operation.
Compensation versus prevention
Forest Department Position
Officials visit affected fields, assess damage, and begin compensation procedures.
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers argue that compensation is often slow and inadequate and does not replace effective long-term crop protection.
Relocating the herd to Odisha
Forest Department Position
Andhra Pradesh officials are working to guide the elephants back to Odisha.
Farmers’ Concerns
Odisha authorities have expressed reservations, citing an existing elephant population of more than 2,000 and frequent human-elephant conflict incidents.
Key facts
- Wild herd size
- 12 wild elephants
- Kumki elephants
- Jayant and Abhimanyu
- Daily feeding cost
- About Rs. 7,500 for the two kumki elephants
- Trackers deployed
- 25 outsourced trackers
- Tracker payment
- About Rs. 16,000 per tracker per month
- Operation status
- Two attempts have been made; another is planned after rain-related delays
- Relocation challenge
- Odisha authorities have reservations about accommodating additional elephants
Quotes
T Manikantheswar
Forest range officer speaking about the postponed effort to relocate the elephant herd
“Due to the rain, we are on hold. Very soon we are going to make another attempt.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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