Chennai, June 20 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government on Tuesday

issued orders sanctioning Rs.eight crores for establishing a new

Elephant Camp at Sadivayal, at Bolampatti Reserve Forest in

Coimbatore.

This followed the announcement made by Chief Minister M.K.Stalin

on March 15 that a new elephant camp would be set up at Sadivayal

which has already been functioning as the temporary elephant camp

since 2012.

An official release said this amount will be utilized for creating elephant

sheds, veterinary facilities, kitchen and elephant-proof trenches, food

and water facilities for elephants.

With these initiatives, the conservation and management of camp

elephants will improve significantly in accordance with the policy

of the State Government to strengthen the conservation efforts for

elephants.

This also includes strengthening of rescue related activities, including

specialized transport with necessary facilities.

The Sate Government also sanctioned Rs.5 crores for improvement of

Kozhikamuthi elephant camp at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Pollachi.

This amount will be utilized to create infrastructure facilities at the camp,

training for Mahouts and Cavadies, setting up of a viewing gallery for

visitors, improvement of food preparation area and water availability for

elephants.

In addition to this, the Government sanctioned Rs.9.10 crores for

construction of eco-friendly and culturally compatible houses in

accordance with the announcement made by the Chief Minister for

91 elephant care takers of Theppakadu and Kozhikamuthi elephant

camps.

A total of 44 houses will be constructed for elephant care takers

of Theppakkadu at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, while 47 houses will

be constructed for elephant care takers of Kozhikamuthi Elephant

camp, at Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Pollachi.

Last year, Government had notified 1,19,748.26 hectare area as the

new elephant reserve namely viz., Agasthyamalai in Kanniyakumari,

Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts.

This year Government sent 13 mahouts and cavadies for specialized

training to Thailand, the release said.

UNI GV 1503