Farmers and members of the public from Thekkampatti, Nellithurai and surrounding villages are holding a meeting today to oppose the proposed revival of the Elephant Rejuvenation Camp at Thekkampatti. They are urging the Govt to identify an alternative location for the camp, citing safety concerns and crop damage.
Coimbatore: Thekkampatti Farmers Oppose Elephant Camp Revival, Seek Alternative Location
Coimbatore: Farmers and members of the public from Thekkampatti, Nellithurai and surrounding areas in Mettupalayam Taluk have raised strong objections to the proposed revival of the Elephant Rejuvenation Camp at Thekkampatti, on the banks of the Bhavani River.
They claim that the camp could increase the movement of wild elephants into nearby agricultural lands and adversely affect farmers’ livelihoods. They have urged the Government to choose an alternative location instead of Thekkampatti.
Against this backdrop, farmers and members of the public from Thekkampatti, Thasanur, N.G. Pudhur, R.G. Pudhur, Thottathasanur, Nellithurai and Kittampalayam are holding an integrated consultation meeting at 11 am today at Sri Amma Appan Mahal, near the Vanabhadrakali Amman Temple, to discuss the proposed revival of the camp and the concerns of local communities.
Concerns Raised by Farmers
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister announced in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 21 that ₹3 crore would be allocated to resume the Elephant Rejuvenation Camp at Thekkampatti. The camp has reportedly not been conducted at the location for the past five years.
According to the farmers, the proposed site is situated along a traditional elephant movement corridor and near an area where wild elephants regularly visit to drink water. They fear that the presence of captive elephants could increase wild elephant movement towards the camp and surrounding agricultural areas.
The farmers have also raised concerns over the elephant mating season, claiming that the presence of female captive elephants could potentially attract male elephants from the surrounding forest areas.
They further contend that blocking or disturbing the traditional route used by wild elephants to access the Bhavani River could force the animals towards nearby agricultural lands. This, they say, could increase the risk of crop damage in Thekkampatti, Thasanur, N.G. Pudhur, R.G. Pudhur, Thottathasanur, Nellithurai, Kittampalayam and surrounding villages.
The proposed camp site is surrounded by agricultural lands, and farmers fear that repeated movement of wild elephants could result in crop losses and further affect their livelihoods. They have also raised concerns over inadequate compensation for crops damaged by wild elephants, which they say places an additional financial burden on farming families.
Traffic congestion is another concern. During the earlier operation of the camp, large numbers of visitors reportedly travelled to the area to see the elephants, with vehicles being parked along both sides of the Thekkampatti–Pathrakali Amman Road. Temporary shops were also set up along the roadside, causing inconvenience to motorists and the general public.
The farmers have also pointed to previous incidents in which wild elephants allegedly entered the camp premises and attacked captive temple elephants and their mahouts, raising concerns over the safety of both elephants and people.
The farmers have urged the Government to consider an alternative location for the camp that would not adversely affect the safety, agricultural activities and livelihoods of people in Thekkampatti, Nellithurai and surrounding villages.
Coimbatore: Farmers and members of the public from Thekkampatti, Nellithurai and surrounding areas in Mettupalayam Taluk have raised strong objections to the proposed revival of the Elephant Rejuvenation Camp at Thekkampatti, on the banks of the Bhavani River.
They claim that the camp could increase the movement of wild elephants into nearby agricultural lands and adversely affect farmers’ livelihoods. They have urged the Government to choose an alternative location instead of Thekkampatti.
Against this backdrop, farmers and members of the public from Thekkampatti, Thasanur, N.G. Pudhur, R.G. Pudhur, Thottathasanur, Nellithurai and Kittampalayam are holding an integrated consultation meeting at 11 am today at Sri Amma Appan Mahal, near the Vanabhadrakali Amman Temple, to discuss the proposed revival of the camp and the concerns of local communities.
Concerns Raised by Farmers
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister announced in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 21 that ₹3 crore would be allocated to resume the Elephant Rejuvenation Camp at Thekkampatti. The camp has reportedly not been conducted at the location for the past five years.
According to the farmers, the proposed site is situated along a traditional elephant movement corridor and near an area where wild elephants regularly visit to drink water. They fear that the presence of captive elephants could increase wild elephant movement towards the camp and surrounding agricultural areas.
The farmers have also raised concerns over the elephant mating season, claiming that the presence of female captive elephants could potentially attract male elephants from the surrounding forest areas.
They further contend that blocking or disturbing the traditional route used by wild elephants to access the Bhavani River could force the animals towards nearby agricultural lands. This, they say, could increase the risk of crop damage in Thekkampatti, Thasanur, N.G. Pudhur, R.G. Pudhur, Thottathasanur, Nellithurai, Kittampalayam and surrounding villages.
The proposed camp site is surrounded by agricultural lands, and farmers fear that repeated movement of wild elephants could result in crop losses and further affect their livelihoods. They have also raised concerns over inadequate compensation for crops damaged by wild elephants, which they say places an additional financial burden on farming families.
Traffic congestion is another concern. During the earlier operation of the camp, large numbers of visitors reportedly travelled to the area to see the elephants, with vehicles being parked along both sides of the Thekkampatti–Pathrakali Amman Road. Temporary shops were also set up along the roadside, causing inconvenience to motorists and the general public.
The farmers have also pointed to previous incidents in which wild elephants allegedly entered the camp premises and attacked captive temple elephants and their mahouts, raising concerns over the safety of both elephants and people.
The farmers have urged the Government to consider an alternative location for the camp that would not adversely affect the safety, agricultural activities and livelihoods of people in Thekkampatti, Nellithurai and surrounding villages.