• Andhra Pradesh accords high priority to elephant conservation • Arrival of ‘Kumki’ elephants yields remarkable results in Andhra Pradesh • Plans underway to train two Kumki elephants annually within the state • State Deputy Chief Minister Sri Pawan Kalyan attends International Elephant Day celebrations
“There used to be severe issues involving herds of elephants in the Agency areas of Andhra Pradesh. Herds comprising approximately 132 to 142 elephants would wreak havoc in these regions. Panic gripped the public as these herds raided and destroyed crops and attacked anyone who crossed their path in the Palamaner area of Chittoor district and in Parvathipuram Manyam district. After assuming responsibility for the Forest and Environment portfolios, my primary focus was on resolving the problems people faced regarding elephants,” stated State Deputy Chief Minister Sri Pawan Kalyan.
He mentioned that four Kumki elephants were brought in with the assistance of the Karnataka government and given specialized training to help prevent human-wildlife conflicts. He noted that these measures are yielding positive results in the Agency areas. State Deputy Chief Minister Sri Pawan Kalyan participated in a national-level seminar held in Visakhapatnam as part of the International Elephant Day celebrations, alongwith the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Sri K.V. Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Pawan Kalyan said, “Elephants serve as a bridge for ecological balance and are symbols of the nation’s wildlife heritage. The Central Government, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, attaches great importance to elephant conservation. Since 2014, the number of elephant conservation centers in the country has increased from 26 to 33. The Central Government is prioritizing the protection of corridors, the strengthening of ‘Project Elephant,’ and technology-based monitoring.
By identifying 150 elephant corridors across the country, elephant habitats remain undisturbed. The Andhra Pradesh government is also adopting the policies followed by the Centre in this regard and is focusing specifically on elephant conservation. I take this opportunity to once again express my special thanks to former Karnataka Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Sri D.K. Shivakumar, and the then Minister for Forest and Environment Sri Eshwar Khandre for their cooperation in providing ‘Kunki’ elephants to our state.
This is not merely cooperation between two states; it is a collaborative effort for the welfare of people, nature, and wildlife. Kunki elephants have already assisted in 15 operations to curb the havoc caused by rogue elephants.” This has led to a 70% reduction in human fatalities in forest fringe areas, as well as a decrease in crop damage. The Andhra Pradesh government has also initiated the training of its own ‘kumki’ elephants (trained elephants used for wildlife management). One trained kumki elephant, Jayanth, is already stationed in the Parvathipuram Manyam region. We plan to train two kumki elephants annually.
**Positive Results from the HANUMAN Project**
The HANUMAN project, designed to protect wildlife and completely prevent human-wildlife conflicts, is yielding positive results. Launched in March 2026, the HANUMAN (Human-Wildlife Conflict Management) project integrates rapid response, technology, and comprehensive management strategies to mitigate damage caused by wildlife. We have deployed 93 response vehicles and 7 wildlife ambulances as part of this initiative.
So far, over 200 wild animals have been rescued, and more than 30 have been relocated. We are advancing this project with the conviction that conservation is not solely the government’s responsibility but requires community participation. Our goal is to create an environment where every farmer in forest fringe areas can cultivate their land without fear. “Our intention is not to separate wildlife from people; true success lies in creating a future where humans and wildlife can coexist safely in the same landscape,” he stated.
