(IN) New Elephant sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh

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State to get its own elephant reserve

 

Tarannum Manjul

*Posted online: Tuesday , March 11, 2008 at 10:52:07

 

*Lucknow, March 10* As a part of the Government of India's Project Elephant, the

state will soon get its own elephant reserve in Bijnore district under the

Nazibabad forest range. The reserve will be called Shivalik Elephant Reserve.

 

The reserve will not only have an exclusive protected area for elephants,

but will also see to it that crop raiding activities — which affect those

living in these areas — are brought down.

 

Bijnore has been chosen for the project as it borders Uttar Pradesh and

Uttarakhand. Moreover, the entire area, divided between the two states, has

seen a considerable population of elephants in the last few years. In the

last census in 2005, the concerned area had about 1,610 elephants. Of them,

30 per cent belonged to the Uttar Pradesh border area.

 

Srikant Chandola, additional conservator of forests in Uttarakhand said: " We

are already supporting the UP Forest department in the initiative as several

elephants from our region have been straying into Uttar Pradesh. We are also

conducting raids and awareness drives for villages where stray elephants

indulge in crop raiding activities. "

 

He added that the reserve in Uttar Pradesh will also help them in keeping

track of stray elephants. " We need properly defined boundaries for an

elephant reserve in UP. Over 12 villages falling under the reserve may be

relocated to prevent crop damage. Also, talks are on with NGOs to introduce

microchipping of elephants in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, " he said.

 

An official in the Uttar Pradesh Forest department said, " We have all the

support needed from our neighbours and the Centre for the project. We are

also speaking with some NGOs for constructing a medical aid centre for

elephants in the reserve. "