‘Save Chinnathambi’: Public against TN govt’s move to domesticate Elephant

Chinnathambi, a 25-year-old a human-friendly elephant entered villages and damaged coconut trees near Thadagam in Coimbatore. The elephant was tranquilised and translocated to Varagaliar forests on January 26.

Villagers from Anaikatti in the district have accused the elephant of damaging their crops and houses for close to a year. Also, the elephant attempting to enter kitchens of the house in the area to take provisions like fruits, wheat and rice. People have been protesting since August 2018, demanding that the elephant Chinnathambi is relocated.

Forest Minister Dindugal Sreenivasan, told they are trying to recapture the elephant. “The elephant has been entering villages in the last few days even after translocation and has crossed over 80 km. Now the animal has stationed itself near Udumalpet. The government has a larger role to protect the lives of the people and their agricultural fields. There is no other option left now but to capture the animal and tame it to be used as a kumki.”

As per the order, two kumki elephants have been dispatched to Chinnathambi’s current spot to guide him back to the forest.

On the other side, Rajendran, a senior lawyer known for many PILs surrounding elephants and forests, said capturing Chinna Thambi by Kumki is against wildlife and said he will be filing a writ petition in Madras High Court Monday against the government’s move.

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