* Gucchi Elephant Camp as a Scientific Solution to Decades-Old Human-Elephant Conflicts
* Solution to Forest Elephant Issues in Manyam Using Modern Technology
* Crucial Step for Protecting Farmers’ Crops, People’s Lives
* Deputy Chief Minister Shri PawanKalyan
‘Nature does not belong to us… we belong to nature. That is why we must live in harmony with nature. Sustainable progress is possible only when there is a balance between development and environmental protection. The government has a responsibility not only for people’s safety but also for wildlife conservation. With that perspective, we have established the Gucchi Elephant Camp to reduce human-elephant conflicts,’ said Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests and Environment Shri Pawan Kalyan. Shri Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the Kunkie Elephant Camp set up in Gucchi, Sitanagar Mandal, Parvathipuram Manyam District, virtually on Wednesday. District In-Charge Minister & Agriculture Minister Shri K. Achchennaidu, Tribal Welfare Minister Smt. Gummadi Sandhyarani participated in this program. Effectively controlling the movement of forest elephants, protecting people’s lives and farmers’ crops, and preventing human-elephant conflicts that have persisted for decades—this camp will work towards that goal.
On this occasion, Shri Pawan Kalyan, while speaking, said, “Elephants entering villages from forest areas, destroying farmers’ crops, and people living in fear and anxiety at night—such problems have been continuing in Parvathipuram Manyam District for a long time. While touring North Andhra, Palakonda MLA Shri Nimmaka Jayakrishna and some local people brought this issue to my attention. Considering it the government’s responsibility to provide a permanent solution to this problem, we have established the Gucchi Elephant Holding Area. This center will mark the beginning of a new chapter in preventing human-elephant conflicts in North Andhra.
That Same Success Must Be Repeated
In the past, in difficult operations conducted in the Palamaneru area, Kunkie elephants Jayanth and Abhimanyu, along with Forest Department officials and staff, worked effectively in coordination. By utilizing modern technology, they reduced deaths due to human-elephant conflicts by more than 70 percent and also significantly reduced crop losses. It is the government’s resolve to achieve the same success now in Parvathipuram Manyam District as well. With the hope that this Gucchi Elephant Camp will serve as a platform for harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants, I am dedicating it to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Heartfelt Gratitude to Karnataka’s People and Government
If we are conducting this program grandly today in Parvathipuram District, the main reason for that is the support provided by the Karnataka government and its people. Honoring our request and sending four Kunkie elephants to our state with great affection is a testament to their great heart and friendship. The people there feel that giving elephants is like giving wealth. Yet, for the protection of Telugu people, the Karnataka government and people have sent Kunkie elephants to our state with love—we express our heartfelt gratitude to them. On this occasion, we extend special thanks to Karnataka Chief Minister Shri D K Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, then Forest Minister and current Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Shri Ishwar Khandre. Their support and friendship have further strengthened the bond between the two states,” they said.
In this program, Parvathipuram MLA Shri Bonela Vijay Chandra, Palakonda MLA Shri Nimmaka Jayakrishna, Legislative Assembly Whip Smt. Toyaka Jagadishwari, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Environment Shri Kantilal Dande, PCCF Shri P.V. Chalapati Rao, Forest Department Advisor Shri Mallikarjunarao, CCF Wildlife Shri N. Nageswararao, Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Managing Director Smt. Nandini Salaria, Visakhapatnam Chief Conservator of Forests Shri I.K.V. Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam District Collector Shri N. Prabhakar Reddy, Parvathipuram Manyam District Forest Officer Smt. Prasoon participated.
