(IN): Rehab centres for burnt-out tuskers

October 28, 2008

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Rehab centres for burnt-out tuskers

27, 2008 at 2334 hrs IST

*NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 26 :* In a first-of-its-kind move, Project Elephant has

released funds for setting up rescue and rehabilitation centres across the

country to accommodate ill or ageing working elephants.

There are an estimated 3,500-3,600 privately-owned captive elephants in the

country and most of them are made to work. Approximately Rs 90 lakh has been

released for a 400-acre elephant rescue centre to be run in Haryana,

officials from the Ministry of Environment and Forests said. Funds have also

been released for elephant rehabilitation centres in Kerala (Rs 15 lakh) and

Orissa (Rs 10 lakh), officials said.

Meanwhile, another centre to house wild elephants will come up in

Uttarakhand, with Rs 54 lakh being sanctioned for the purpose. The centres

will have medical and rehab facilities for all elephants, including those

owned by private parties. " We have advised all states on the norms for

working elephants, including veterinary care and resting protocols. But

there was a need to set up rehabilitation and rescue centres for elephants

that might not have any other place to go. Until now, the Forest Department

ran shelters for elephants that are part of the Forest Department and are

usually employed for patrolling purposes. But this will increase the ambit

for all elephants who need help, " says A N Prasad, IGF, Project Elephant.

Working elephants are supposed to retire by the time they are 65, but this

guideline is not followed across the country.

Haryana will have the largest centre which will be built on the lines of an

elephant rescue centre in Chiang-Mai, Thailand, where elephants will roam in

large areas. It will be managed by the Haryana Government and NGO Wildlife

SOS. " Haryana will have an unconventional centre that will accommodate

elephants from north India. "

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