This story is from August 13, 2020

Chamarajanagar forests have most jumbos in India: Official

The forest of Chamarajanagar district has the highest number of elephants in the country, said Bandipur Tiger Reserve director T Balachandra.
Chamarajanagar forests have most jumbos in India: Official
MYSURU: The forest of Chamarajanagar district has the highest number of elephants in the country, said Bandipur Tiger Reserve director T Balachandra.
He was speaking at the talk on ‘The tale of Elephas maximus – Asiatic Elephants’ as part of a World Elephant Day programme organized by the forest department and University of Mysore, here on Wednesday.
Balachandra said Bandipur and Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger reserves and Cauvery Wildlife and Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Hills Temple sanctuaries have a total of around 3,000 elephants, which is the highest in the country.

“The elephants need habitat which is free from lantana, but nearly 50 percent of the reserve is covered by lantana which is not conducive for elephants. We construct Elephant Proof Trenches (EPT) and erect railway barricades to prevent elephants from straying out of forest and raid crops,” he said.
After Africa, rail barricades have been erected only in India, he said.
Stating that Bandipur and Nagarahole reserves have optimal habitat for elephants, he said as part of grass land management programme, the department is removing lantana and developing grass land inside the forest. “Similar to Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, palatable grass slips planting has been taken up. The government is also improving the elephant corridors between Bandipur and Madhumalai TR in Tamil Nadu by purchasing private lands,” he said.
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