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Thursday, Nov 25, 2004

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Maharashtra to send back marauding pachyderms

MUMBAI, NOV. 24 . The forest department will launch here on November 25, what is being touted as the ``first-of-its kind'' combing operation in a village in Sindhudurg on the scenic Konkan coastal strip.

This ``unique'' three-day operation called `Elephant Back To Home' aims to drive away about 18 wild elephants, which have entered the Terwan Medhe village in the district from the Mani forest area of Karnataka.

The operation to be launched by Maharashtra Forest Minister Babanrao Pachpute, is the government's solution to the menace caused by these wild elephants in about 24 villages in the Dodamarg area. The pachyderms, having entered the hilly jungle area of Dodamarg, measuring around 400-500 acre, have created havoc, damaging paddy fields, coconut trees, teak and frightening the villagers.

The Maharashtra Government will deploy staff of about 500 personnel from various departments like the police, forest, revenue and home guards for the operation.

Talking exclusively to UNI, Mr Pachpute said, ``It is a risky operation and I have accepted the challenge. I will personally be present during the operation, which will continue around the clock till all the elephants have been driven back to Karnataka.''

The minister said that these wild elephants, believed to have entered Dodamarg due to water and food scarcity in their normal inhabited areas, should be driven back to Karnataka ``respectfully''.

``These elephants arrived in Dodamarg area by crossing a distance of about 27 km and it is now a difficult task to send them back. To ensure success, the forest department has taken the help of Karnataka's forest department and imported five domesticated pachyderms as well as sought the help of a dozen trained elephant catchers from Karnataka,'' Mr Pachpute said.

``The operation will start from Terwan Medhe village in Dodamarg tehsil and from there these elephants will be pushed back to Shirange, Mangeli Deulwadi, Phanaswadi and finally to the Mani forest in Karnataka in a span of three days,'' the minister said.

First, the pachyderms which have scattered all over will be brought together and then they will be pushed back towards Mani forest. The start to the operation is very important here and has to be done with a lot of caution as these elephants can travel an average of 16 km a day, Mr Pachpute said, adding that the rest of the operation was expected to be smooth.

The estimated expenditure for the entire procedure is about Rs 10 lakh, Mr Pachpute said, adding that the materials necessary for the manoeuvre like chilli, a particular oil, rope, fire-arms, crackers, grease will be carried to the operation site.

"We are carrying two-and-a-half tonnes of chilli, 56 km strong rope, grease and the oil, materials which the elephants are averse to. These will be used to bring them together with the help of trained elephants catchers," he added.

The forest officials said these elephants, once pushed back into Karnataka, do not return to Dodamarg are planning to dig trenches on the route taken by these giants recently, he informed.

UNI

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Maharashtra to send back marauding pachyderms