Wildlife – Pawan Kalyan Sends Trained Kumki Elephants to Tackle Human-Elephant Conflict
Wildlife – Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday flagged off two trained Kumki elephants, Jayant and Abhimanyu, to Parvathipuram-Manyam district as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to reduce incidents of human-elephant conflict along the Odisha border. The elephants were formally welcomed at his official residence in Mangalagiri before beginning their journey to the Gutchimi forest camp, where they will be deployed to assist forest officials in managing wild elephant movement.
Kumki elephants assigned to conflict-prone region
During the ceremonial send-off, Pawan Kalyan greeted the elephants by offering flowers and food before flagging off their relocation. The Forest Department is shifting the trained animals from the elephant training centre at Musalamadugu near Palamaner in Chittoor district to Gutchimi camp in Parvathipuram-Manyam, an area that has witnessed repeated elephant incursions in recent years.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the presence of the two Kumki elephants would strengthen measures to prevent clashes between people and wild elephants. He noted that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to protecting residents, safeguarding agricultural land, and conserving wildlife through practical and humane approaches.
Officials instructed to ensure safe relocation
Pawan Kalyan directed Forest Department officials to closely monitor the transportation of Jayant and Abhimanyu to ensure their safety throughout the journey. He also instructed authorities to follow expert guidance after the elephants reach Gutchimi camp so they can gradually adapt to the local climate and habitat before participating in field operations.
According to officials, proper acclimatisation is essential to ensure the trained elephants remain healthy and effective while assisting forest teams in managing wild elephant movements in the region.
Experienced elephants with proven track record
Forest officials said Jayant and Abhimanyu have previously participated in several successful wildlife management operations in the Palamaner and Chittoor regions. Their primary role involved guiding wild elephant herds away from human settlements and safely directing them back into forest areas.
Kumki elephants are specially trained captive elephants used by forest departments across India for wildlife management. They assist in herding wild elephants, rescue operations, and conflict mitigation, helping officials carry out these tasks with greater safety and control.
Rising elephant movement worries local communities
The districts of Vizianagaram and Parvathipuram-Manyam have seen a steady increase in elephant movement from neighbouring Odisha. Forest officials said one herd of eight elephants is currently moving near Karada village in Bobbili mandal of Vizianagaram district, while another group of four elephants has been spotted near Ghanasara village in Bhamini mandal of Parvathipuram-Manyam.
These movements have raised concerns among tribal communities living in the agency regions of Parvathipuram and Seethampeta, where frequent elephant visits have affected both livelihoods and public safety.
Crop losses and fatalities remain major concern
Residents in the affected areas have reported repeated damage to agricultural fields, with crops such as paddy, banana, cocoa, oil palm, sugarcane, and vegetables suffering heavy losses. Official records indicate that elephant activity has damaged crops across nearly 3,600 acres since 2017.
The human cost has also been significant. At least 13 people, including two elephant trackers, have lost their lives in elephant-related incidents across the region during the same period, highlighting the urgent need for effective conflict management measures.
The Andhra Pradesh government has been expanding its use of trained Kumki elephants in wildlife management. In May last year, four Kumki elephants were brought from Karnataka to help control wild elephants entering residential areas. Later, in November, Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the state’s Kumki elephant training centre in Chittoor district, further strengthening long-term efforts to address the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict.