Andhra Pradesh to deploy two trained Kumki elephants in Parvathipuram Manyam.

Amaravati: In a major initiative to reduce human-elephant conflict in the tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh, the State Forest Department is deploying two specially trained Kumki elephants to Parvathipuram Manyam district.

The decision has been taken under the directions of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests and Environment Pawan Kalyan to provide immediate relief to villages affected by repeated incursions of wild elephants from neighbouring Odisha.

The two Kumki elephants, Jayanth and Abhimanyu, will be shifted from the Musalamadugu Camp at Palamaneru to the Guchchimi Camp in Parvathipuram Manyam district. Both elephants are experienced in managing human-elephant conflict and have successfully participated in several wildlife rescue and containment operations, including the recent capture of a solitary wild elephant near Palamaneru.

Officials said the Kumki elephants will be used to guide wild elephant herds away from villages and agricultural fields, helping minimise crop damage and ensuring the safety of local communities.

Apart from deploying Kumki elephants, the government is implementing a comprehensive conflict mitigation strategy. The measures include the construction of solar-powered fencing, protective trenches, development of water sources inside forests, AI-based monitoring systems, drone surveillance, deployment of Hanuman Rapid Response Teams, and awareness programmes for residents of vulnerable villages.

The government is also planning to coordinate with the Odisha Government for long-term solutions to manage elephant movement across the interstate forest landscape.

The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen wildlife management while ensuring better protection for farmers, villagers, and forest ecosystems in the region.