Elephant census begins

The personnel of the Forest Department and volunteers identified elephant movement routes by wandering all across the forest. The census will be held continuously for three days.

RFO M S Chinnappa who interacted with the enumerators prior to beginning the census at Anekadu reserve forest in Kushalnagar range, said a total of 60 persons in 11 groups are involved in the census process.

The squad included Forester K P Somanna, volunteers B C Muruli Madaiah, H K Thilagar, Premkumar, Hanumantharaya and others.

On Saturday, the enumerators took account of the blocks in the forest. They registered the details of elephant dungs found on Sunday. On the third day, census will be conducted by identifying water sources in the forest. The census process was held at Nagarahole National Park, Dubare, Maldare, Meenukolli, Titimati, Anekadu, Atturu, Banavara, Malami, Umbalibetta and some coffee plantations adjacent to the forests.

“The census will give a picture of the habitats of elephants, the possible measures can be taken by the Forest Department to protect elephants, precautionary steps can be taken to prevent wild elephant menace and several other issues,” said Conservator of Forests K B Markandeya.