Farmers Seek Relocation of Elephant Camp

Thekkampatti, a village near Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu, has become the centre of a dispute over the proposed revival of an elephant rejuvenation camp. Local farmers have urged the State government to shift the camp to another location, warning that its operation on the banks of the Bhavani River could escalate existing human-elephant conflicts in the drought-affected region.

The demand comes after the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister announced in the Assembly that Rs 3 crore had been allocated to revive the camp at Thekkampatti. The annual programme, organised for temple and mutt elephants, has not been conducted at the site for the past five years, as reported by both Lokmat Times and The New Indian Express.

Concerns Over Migration Corridor and Water Access

Farmers from Thekkampatti and Nellithurai panchayats have opposed the proposal, pointing out that the selected site lies on a traditional migration corridor used by wild elephants and contains watering points regularly visited by herds. They fear that construction, temporary enclosures, and increased human activity could obstruct established routes and restrict access to water, potentially forcing elephants into nearby settlements in search of alternative passages.

Villages that could be affected include Thekkampatti, Dasanur, NG Pudur, RG Pudur, Thottadasanur, Nellithurai, and Kittampalayam. According to farmers, wild elephants in these areas routinely destroy crops and attack residents, a concern highlighted by both outlets.

Breeding Season Risks and Farmer Testimony

A specific worry is that the camp is planned during the breeding season and will predominantly house female temple elephants, which could attract wild males towards the campsite and adjoining farmlands. R Dhilipkumar, a farmer from Thekkampatti, told The New Indian Express: "The camp is planned during the breeding season and will mainly house female temple elephants, which could attract more wild males. Surrounding agricultural lands make crop damage highly likely, and farmers complain that adequate compensation is rarely paid. Visitor vehicles and temporary roadside shops along the Thekkampatti-Vanapathirakali Amman road also create severe traffic congestion."

He also recalled past incidents of wild elephants entering the camp and attacking temple elephants and mahouts, heightening safety concerns.

Drought and Compensation Grievances

Agricultural fields surrounding the proposed venue are already under severe stress due to drought. Farmers said any increase in elephant movement could result in further losses, while compensation for crop damage was often delayed or considered inadequate, as noted in the Lokmat Times report.

Call for Assessment and Alternative Site

Farmers have requested the government and the Forest Department to conduct a detailed ecological and safety assessment of the site and to identify an alternative location. Both news organisations reported that the farmers are not opposed to the camp itself but to its proposed placement in an area they consider ecologically sensitive and already fraught with human-elephant conflict.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister has not yet responded publicly to the farmers' request, according to the reports.