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Mettupalayam gets ready for jumbo camp from tomorrow
It’s time for jumbo retreat on the banks of River Bhavani near Coimbatore as elephants from temples and mutts from across the state will start assembling in Mettupalayam from Wednesday. Around 34 elephants are likely to participate in the annual rejuvenation camp, which commences on Thursday.
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migrator
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Coimbatore
Arrangements are under way at the camp site, spread over an area of eight acres. Works are happening on a war footing to create facilities for mahouts and elephants. The shrubs and plants are being cleared and sheds are erected for mahouts.
“A 600 metre circled walking track has been created for the elephants to go on a daily walk. Five ramps have been made to help the elephants climb and get down from lorries safely,” said an HR & CE official.
It has been planned for elephants to start their day with a cool shower and a bathing platform has been developed for the purpose. The camp site also has a food court and rest room for mahouts.
Six watch towers will be put up for the forest department staff to keep a watch on wild elephants. Also solar fencing has been erected to prevent wild elephants from straying into the camp site.
A pet project of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the rejuvenation camp started way back in 2003 following complaints that elephants in temples and mutts are made to stand on rough surface without rest for long hours and not treated properly.
In order to provide adequate rest with nutritious food and medical treatment, the rejuvenation camp was first kickstarted about 11 years ago at Mudumalai (Theppakadu) sanctuary during the AIADMK regime. The camp was not conducted during the DMK regime from 2006 to 2011.
The jumbo retreat resumed again in 2011 when AIADMK returned to power and in 2012-2013, the rejuvenation camp was shifted to the plains in Mettupalayam.
Public can visit the rejuvenation camp from 10 am to 5pm.
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