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Even as the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy faces many challenges on the political front, back in his home district of Chittoor, he is facing an elephantine problem.
Yes, hordes of the marauding tuskers are making lives of farmers tough in the Kuppam area of Chittoor district.
A large herd of nearly 50 elephants which strayed into the border district with Tamil Nadu reportedly killed a shepherd and drove fear into the minds of villagers.
It is the annual, seasonal foray for these elephants, which roam across the border districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, said forest officials.
There are reports of these herds straying into the border villages.
Andhra Pradesh also has a resident population of around 8 elephants in Kuppam village in Chittoor and another 25-28 elephants in the Seshachalam forest area in Tirupati. Hailing originally from the border villages in Tamil Nadu, these animals have been living for the past 20-25 years in the area and move along Kadapa and Chittoor districts, said A.V. Joseph, Chief Wildlife Warden of the State Forest Department.
Recently, there has been movement of these herds near the Tirumala area. The rich bamboo growth, availability of water and the hilly terrain have provided the right environs for the elephants to make the region their home. In the last decade, the elephants have not been causing problems. Moreover, the compensation package for crop damage to farmers has been fixed and promptly disbursed, he told Business Line .
In efforts to provide adequate area for the elephant sanctuary region across the three states, AP Forest Department has developed two sanctuaries separated by 70 km in the State. These are the Koundinya Wildlife sanctuary (331 sq km elephant area) and the Sri Venkateswara National Park and wildlife sanctuary, near Tirupati.
The forest department has also trained people to ward off the elephants. In addition it has hired the services of at least 20 Yanadi (traditional experts) trackers to keep a watch on their movements. They do a good job and help in taking preventive steps, if necessary, Joseph said.
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