Dubare Elephant Camp shut till SOP implementation – Star of Mysore

APCCF critiques camp infrastructure, customer administration practices, security protocols

Kushalnagar: Following the tragic incident at Kodagu’s Dubare Elephant Camp that claimed the lives of a girl vacationer from Chennai and camp elephant Jai Marthanda, senior Forest officers have launched an in depth investigation and initiated main security reforms on the widespread eco-tourism vacation spot.

Further Principal Chief Conservator of Forests — APCCF (Vigilance) — Manoj Kumar Tripathi and Madikeri Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Abhishek, accompanied by Dubare Vary Forest Officer (RFO) Rakshith, visited the camp yesterday for an in depth inspection.

Authorities have determined to maintain the camp closed to vacationers for no less than 15 days whereas new security pointers and Customary Working Procedures (SOPs) are ready and applied.

The inspection crew carried out an in depth evaluation of the camp’s infrastructure, customer administration practices and security protocols. Officers additionally recorded statements from the Mahouts and Kavadis related to elephants Kanjan and Jai Marthanda, which have been concerned within the deadly incident.

Talking to Star of Mysore, RFO Rakshith mentioned, a brand new SOP is being drafted and indicated that the camp’s total construction and customer motion system would bear main modifications earlier than reopening to the general public.

Zoning & bodily limitations

Till now, vacationers at Dubare have been allowed to maneuver round freely and work together intently with elephants. Underneath the proposed pointers, strict zoning and bodily limitations shall be launched to stop unrestricted public entry to the animals.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has already directed {that a} minimal 100-foot security distance be maintained between vacationers and elephants in any respect camps. Actions comparable to bathing elephants, feeding them and posing for pictures with them are anticipated to be completely discontinued.

Officers mentioned, the dimensions of the proposed structural and operational modifications would require greater than two weeks for implementation at Dubare. Whereas Mathigodu and Harangi elephant camps proceed to stay open, Dubare will keep shut till the Forest Division is totally glad with the revised                             security measures.

Kanjan remoted

In the meantime, tusker Kanjan has been positioned beneath strict isolation and fixed monitoring. The elephant has been secured with a double-chain system close to his Mahout’s residential quarters contained in the camp.

Forest workers have additionally altered Kanjan’s day by day routine as a precautionary measure. He’s not being taken alongside widespread routes or to shared bathing areas utilized by different elephants. As a substitute, he’s escorted by way of a separate route just for consuming water earlier than being introduced again to his designated enclosure.

For now, the Division has determined to not confine Kanjan inside a ‘kraal’ (a heavy picket confinement cage). Nonetheless, the tusker has been barred from taking part in camp actions, elephant seize operations and brushing duties.