The attraction of Dubare elephant camp near here has doubled now with the arrival of three new guests from Sakrebail forest in Shimoga district.

Two male elephants Mayura (21 years) and Teertharama (16 years) and a female elephant Shivaganga are these new guests.

Thus the total number of elephants here has reached 17 now, including the newly arrived ones and calf ‘Mrithili’ that took birth recently.

The Dubare camp that was recognised during British rule, has been elevated into a centre of attraction with its natural beauty, thus drawing a large number of visitors from within and outside the country.

Vikrama, Harsha and Vijaya elephants of this camp take part in Jambu Savari during Mysore Dasara every year. Vikrama and Harsha are now busy in taming the wild elephants in Hasan district.

Elephants like Indra, Chandra, Prashanth, Gopi, Vijaya, Mrithili, Parashurama, Durgaparameshwari, Lakshmana, Ekadantha and Ranjan are the main attractions of Dubare camp.

Eco-tourism

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Madikeri sub-division conservator of forests B B Mallesh said the guest elephants would be used for developing eco-tourism in the region.

Entertainment initiatives like elephant safari, trekking and study of the life of elephants will be started with minimum expenditure under the aegis of the Forest department, he added.

Special emphasis will be given for eco-tourism in Pushpagiri, Talacauvery and Brahmagiri ranges coming under Madikeri forest division, Mr Mallesh informed, adding that efforts are on to bring 6 more elephants from Murkallu in Hunsur.

Elephant fair will be organised in Dubare forest in May. The department is trying to reopen the elephant camp at Hudugooru near Kudige that has been closed for the past four years, Mr Mallesh said.