Latest news with #OperationKumki
Time of India
09-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Trained Kumki elephants to be deployed in North Andhra after Dussehra
Visakhapatnam: The forest department is planning to deploy trained elephants, known as Kumki elephants, to the North Andhra region to address human-animal conflict after Dussehra, on October 2, as the temporary elephant holding area at Gucchimi village in Parvathipuram district is yet to be completed. The forest department will weed out the wild elephants one by one in the operation. As part of this, they will first remove the only male elephant in a herd of seven to prevent further breeding and population growth. Removing the male elephant from the group will be the first operation undertaken by the Kumki elephants in North Andhra. "Once you remove the male, the population will not increase. With this one-and-a-half-year-old male elephant, all the female elephants are becoming aggressive. Generally, when we conduct any operation, we deploy four to five elephants. North Andhra terrain is mostly plain with farm fields, so we may deploy three elephants," said additional principal chief conservator (Wildlife), Santhi Priya Pandey. Once the elephant holding area at Gucchimi is ready, the forest department will deploy the elephants to tackle the ongoing human-animal conflict, which has persisted for the past 18 years in the North Andhra region, especially in the undivided Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. Currently, there are two wild elephant herds—one with four elephants and another with seven—causing damage to farm fields and villages in Parvathipuram Manyam and Vizianagaram districts. Forest department official Santhi Priya Pandey said the elephant holding area in Gucchimi would be ready in one to one and a half months. "We are waiting for the completion of the elephant holding area. The Kumkis are ready, and Forest Department staff, including mahouts, have been trained in handling and capturing elephants," she said. Recently, the state's newly launched 'Operation Kumki' registered its first success five days ago, when Kumki elephants successfully drove wild elephants back into the forest after they had been destroying mango orchards in Bangarupalyam mandal, Chittoor district. The department had deployed three Kumki elephants—Krishna, Jayant, and Vinaya—brought from Karnataka in May. After undergoing intensive training, they were pressed into action. The forest department now plans to expand its focus to other areas in Chittoor and North Andhra. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
First Operation Kumki in A.P. successful: Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan stated that the first Operation Kumki aimed at the driving away rogue elephants into the forests by trained ones has been successfully conducted in Bangarupalyam Mandal of Chittoor district. The next such drive against elephants destroying crops and endangering human lives will be organised in the Punganur forest, he said. In a press release on Tuesday, Mr. Kalyan, who is also the Minister for Forests, said a herd of elephants that were on the rampage around Bangarupalyam were diverted into the wild by trained elephants sourced from Karnataka. He complimented the officials and staff concerned in the Forest Department for accomplishing the task of reining in a group of elephants that were destroying mango orchards near Mogili village in Bangarupalyam Mandal. Trained elephants Krishna, Jayanth, and Vinayak blocked the wild elephants from heading towards the crops, and guided them back into the forests. The operation lasted from Saturday (August 2) night till Sunday morning. A two - month training was given to the elephants brought in from Karnataka. Mr. Kalyan said Operation Kumki was made possible by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and that he was thankful to Karnataka CM Siddharamaiah and Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre for their cooperation.
Hans India
06-08-2025
- General
- Hans India
Farmers relieved as Kumki elephants drive wild herds away
Tirupati: After weeks of sleepless nights and damaged crops, farmers in Mogili village of Bangarupalem mandal finally woke up to something unfamiliar – peace. The wild elephants that had been invading their fields and sparking panic after sundown have retreated into the forest, thanks to the launch of Andhra Pradesh's first-ever 'Operation Kumki'. 'We have been sleeping in our fields, lighting fires, blowing whistles and trying everything to scare them off. But nothing worked,' said N Gopal, a mango farmer from the area. 'The moment the Kumki elephants arrived, the wild ones turned back.' Over the weekend, three trained Kumki elephants – Krishna, Jayanth, and Vinayakm – were deployed near Mogili after a herd of 14 wild elephants repeatedly entered farmlands and mango orchards. Guided by experienced mahouts and forest personnel, the Kumkis helped drive the wild herd back into the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a first-of-its-kind operation in the state. Officials believe this marks a shift in how Andhra Pradesh plans to deal with rising human-elephant conflict, particularly in forest-border areas along Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 'It is not just about moving elephants. It's about restoring confidence among local communities – letting them know the state has a clear plan,' said a forest official involved in the operation. The three Kumkis were brought in from Karnataka in two phases and are now stationed at a newly built, 50-acre elephant camp near Musalimadugu. The facility is equipped with solar fencing, water-filled moats, a feeding zone, and veterinary support. It also serves as a training base for forest teams. Seventeen forest watchers from Chittoor, Tirupati, and Annamayya districts have already undergone training in Karnataka to support future missions. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for forests Pawan Kalyan praised the operation, calling it a much-needed step to protect both human lives and livelihoods. 'For too long, farmers have lived in fear and suffered losses. With the Kumki model, we are not just solving a problem but giving people hope,' he said, thanking the Karnataka government for its cooperation. Among the Kumkis, Krishna stood out for its swift and proactive response in the field. Another elephant, currently recovering from stress and disorientation, is expected to join future deployments once it stabilises. Preparations are now underway for the next operation in Punganur, where similar elephant movement has been reported. For now, farmers are cautiously optimistic as they feel someone standing between them and the elephants.
Hans India
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Operation Kumki' brings relief to farmers in border areas
Vijayawada: The first operation of the 'Operation Kumki' initiative has been successfully completed, providing reassurance to farmers in the state's border regions. The kumki elephants, specially trained to manage wild elephants, successfully diverted a herd that was destroying mango plantations. According to a report from the Forest Department, a herd of wild elephants that had been active for 15 days in the Mogili area of Bangarupalyam mandal in Chittoor district was successfully driven back into the forest. The operation, which took place from Saturday night to Sunday morning, was carried out by kumki elephants named Krishna, Jayant, and Vinayaka. Forest officials highlighted that Krishna, a kumki elephant brought from Karnataka, was particularly active in the operation. This marks a successful first step for the kumki elephants after two months of training. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan extended his congratulations to the Forest officials, mahouts, and Kavadi who participated in the operation. He also thanked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar Khandre for their timely assistance in providing the kumki elephants. Kalyan stated that this operation is the first step in the coalition government's planned approach under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to protect both crops and human lives from wild elephant herds. Officials are now making preparations for the next operation, which will be conducted in the Punganur forest area.
New Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Op Kumki' successful, jumbo herd driven away into Chittoor forests
TIRUPATI/VIJAYAWADA: In a significant breakthrough in wildlife management, Chittoor forest officials have successfully executed 'Operation Kumki', relocating a herd of 14 wild elephants from farmlands in Palamaner Range back to the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. The operation, conducted in Mogili of Bangarupalyam mandal has brought the much-needed relief to farmers, whose mango orchards and crops were being ravaged by the straying jumbo herds. District Forest Officer Bharani emphasised the dual objective of ensuring the safety of both villagers and elephants while protecting agricultural livelihoods. 'This operation is a testament to the expertise of our field teams, and the pivotal role of our trained Kumki elephants,' she said. Deputy Chief Minister (Forest and Environment) Pawan Kalyan lauded the forest officials, mahouts, and support staff for their efforts, expressing gratitude to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre for providing the Kumki elephants to AP. He highlighted that under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's leadership, the coalition government is dedicated to protecting crops and lives through initiatives like 'Operation Kumki'. Preparations are now underway for the next phase in Punganur forest area, with officials focused on sustaining this momentum. The strategic intervention, which took place from Saturday night to Sunday morning, marked the first deployment of Kumki elephants in Chittoor since their arrival three months ago.
