Preparations on for temple elephant camp; farmers seek change of venue

COIMBATORE: The rejuvenation camp for temple elephants from across
the state is likely to begin on the banks of Bhavani river at Thekkampattti
in the district this month amidst protests from farmers in the area, demanding change of venue.

Over the past few days, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
(HR&CE) department officials have been readying the area on the banks
of Bhavani river for the camp. While work on erecting cooking area and
accommodation for mahouts is underway, bathing area for elephants has already been set up.

HR&CE officials said they had received orders for getting the area ready
and were working on it. “The date for the camp is not confirmed yet. It
might be held within this month,” an officer, who didn’t want to be named, said.

Meanwhile, farmers from Thekkampatti and surrounding areas have raised concerns about the camp being held in the area.

Members of the Thekkampatti 23 Village Farmers’ Coordinating Committee said they have filed a writ petition against the camp’s location. T Pandurangan, president of the committee, said they had filed the writ on November 28.

Pandurangan said after the camp was shifted from Nilgiris to Thekkampatti in 2013, the frequency of wild elephants straying into surrounding villages has gone up. “Many people have lost their lives due to this. Also, elephant are raiding our farmlands, damaging crops,” he said.

He said the Bhavani river at Thekkampatti was the starting point of several potable water schemes to areas such as Mettupalayam, Tondamuthur, Vadavalli and Karamadai. “As the camp is conducted here, the water gets polluted due to the waste generated from the camp,” he said.

Members of the farmers’ group said the camp was likely to begin on December 14. “So, we have decided to hoist black flags in our houses from Friday. On the inaugural day of the camp, we have decided to conduct a protest in front of the camp site,” Pandurangan said.

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