The three-day elephant census commenced on Thursday, May 23, with a promising start in the forests of Kuppam, Palamaner, Chittoor East and West, and Karveti Nagaram ranges of Chittoor district. Chittoor, which borders the forests of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, is home to the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, situated at the Kuppam-Palamaner junction.
Established in December 1990, Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary initially housed elephants in single digits. Today, it is one of the 33 elephant reserves notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, with the population growing to nearly 100 resident elephants and an equal number of migratory elephants.
District Forest Officer (Chittoor) C. Chaitanya Kumar Reddy, who initiated the census in the Palamaner range, shared his optimism: “The very first day of the census has started on a positive note with a herd of elephants sighted very close by us.”
The census aims to provide accurate data on the elephant population and their migratory patterns, which is crucial for the conservation and management of these majestic creatures. The data collected will help in understanding the dynamics of the elephant population and in formulating strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflicts.
Chittoor district’s forests, rich in biodiversity, play a significant role in the conservation of elephants. The Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, in particular, has seen a remarkable increase in its elephant population, reflecting successful conservation efforts. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for elephants and other wildlife, contributing to the region’s ecological balance.
The elephant census is a critical exercise that involves extensive fieldwork and collaboration among forest officials, wildlife experts, and volunteers. The information gathered over these three days will be analyzed to gain insights into the health and distribution of the elephant population in the region.
As the census progresses, the forest department hopes to gather comprehensive data that will aid in enhancing the conservation efforts for elephants in Chittoor and beyond. The positive start to the census is a hopeful indicator of the thriving elephant population in the district’s forests.
