Coimbatore: Vinayakan and Chinnathambi, the elephants which roamed the Thadagam forest region were recently chased back into the vast Mudumalai and Varagaliar forest regions. But Chinnathmabi has been found roaming in and and around settlements near Udumalpet. Following this, the State Government announced that Chinnathambi will be trained as 'kumki.'
Coimbatore: Vinayakan and Chinnathambi, the elephants which roamed the Thadagam forest region were recently chased back into the vast Mudumalai and Varagaliar forest regions. But Chinnathmabi has been found roaming in and and around settlements near Udumalpet. Following this, the State Government announced that Chinnathambi will be trained as 'kumki.'
Protesting against this decision, a petition was filed at the High Court, with animal activists also petitioning at the District Collectorate. They urged for the decision to be revoked and Chinnathambi be released into the Thadagam region.
Speaking on this, advocate Panneerselvam said, "Elephants which roamed in the Thadagam area were a hindrance to those taking mineral resources for brick kilns from Thadagam. Due to this, they were transported. But, training a young elephant like Chinnathambi as 'kumki' is equal to murdering him," he added.
Wildlife activist Chandresekar opined, "Though Chinnathambi roamed in residential areas for more than a week and was even chased with fireballs, it did not charge anyone. This reveals that the elephant is not violent and it should be allowed to join its herd."
Mining is cited as the main reason for elephants losing their natural track. Negotiation seems to be the only option to resolve the issue, the other being farmers refraining from cultivating sugarcane, corn, banana and shifting to alternate crops.
The Animal Welfare Board Organiser, Kalpana Vasudevan said, "Incidents of removing elephants from their habitat have increased which will lead to deforestation. Steps should be taken to preserve elephant corridors." Animal activists had placards at the Collectorate with the photos of Chinnathambi while raising slogans crying out for Chinnathambi's protection.