Pawan Kalyan Opens Kumki Camp To Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict
Kumki camp aims to reduce wildlife-human clashes.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday inaugurated a Kumki elephant camp in Parvathipuram-Manyam district, marking a new initiative to address the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict in North Andhra. The facility aims to manage the movement of wild elephants, protect human lives, and reduce damage to farmers’ crops.
Virtually inaugurating the camp at Gutchimi in Seethanagaram mandal, Pawan Kalyan said the government has a responsibility to ensure both public safety and wildlife conservation. He emphasised that long-term development can only be achieved by maintaining a balance between environmental protection and human needs, stating that people must learn to coexist with nature.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the difficulties faced by residents of Parvathipuram-Manyam district due to elephants entering villages, damaging agricultural fields, and creating fear among local communities, especially during nights. He said the establishment of the Gutchimi Elephant Holding Area was aimed at providing a permanent solution to the long-standing issue and improving conflict management.
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Pawan Kalyan recalled the successful use of Kumki elephants Jayanth and Abhimanyu during challenging operations in the Palamaner region of Chittoor district. Working with Forest Department officials and using modern technology, the elephants helped reduce human-elephant conflict-related fatalities by more than 70 per cent and significantly lowered crop losses, he said.
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to replicate similar results in Parvathipuram-Manyam through the newly established camp. Pawan Kalyan said the facility would serve as a platform for promoting peaceful coexistence between people and elephants while improving the state’s ability to respond to wildlife-related emergencies.
District In-charge Minister and Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani also participated in the inauguration programme. Pawan Kalyan thanked the Karnataka government and its people for providing four Kumki elephants to Andhra Pradesh, describing the gesture as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two states in addressing wildlife conservation challenges.
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