Kumki deployed to rein in jumbo herds

Coimbatore:As wild elephants continue to raid crops on city outskirts, kumki elephant Pari has been deployed in Narasipuram to drive back the wild elephants that intrude into residential settlements.

The elephant intrusions have been rampant in villages bordering Narasipuram to Maruthamalai hills. A temporary shelter has been put up at Narasipuram to shelter the animal.“Two different herds of elephants including an 18-member herd of pachyderms have been moving around along the forest stretch from Narasipuram to Maruthamalai hills over the last 15 days. The pachyderms, which were camping here for the last 15 days, stray into villages and leave back by raiding crops. So far there were no conflicts with human beings,” said Boluvampatty forest ranger C.Dinesh Kumar.

Currently there are frequent intrusions as this happens to be a migratory season for elephants.“Over the last two days, Pari took a stroll along the forest boundary to keep away the wild elephants from entering into the village. On Monday, the pachyderm perambulated for around six kilometers and next it went around for around eight km. On Thursday, it will be taken around along the border for eight km covering areas like Narasipuram, Viraliyur and Vadavalli areas. When the kumki takes up patrolling, the wild elephants abstain from entering the villages sensing the presence of a different pachyderm,” he said.

A team of forest department staff including 30 anti-poaching watchers are engaged in patrolling. “Moreover jeeps fitted with sirens are also used to patrol along the forest boundary to keep the wild elephants away,” the official said. The arrival of kumki has brought confidence among the people living in villages close to the forests.