Nagababu Reviews Elephant Conservation Efforts at Guchimi

Andhra Pradesh Green Executive Committee Chairman Nagababu on Sunday visited the Guchimi Elephant Conservation Centre in Seethanagaram mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district and reviewed the measures being taken to protect elephants and preserve the forest ecosystem.

During the visit, Nagababu inspected the conservation activities undertaken by the Forest Department and planted ravi and neem saplings within the Guchimi Reserve Forest. He urged officials to promote extensive plantation drives, particularly in vacant patches of forest land, and stressed the need to strengthen green cover while protecting the wider forest ecosystem.

Nagababu also reviewed various development works being carried out at the elephant conservation centre. He interacted with elephant trackers to understand how the movement of wild elephants is monitored on the ground and directed officials to strengthen preventive measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Parvathipuram DFO S. Venkatesh, the Forest Range Officer and other officials briefed him on the terrain of the forest areas frequented by elephants, the challenges involved in tracking their movements and the measures being taken to prevent conflicts. They used maps to explain the elephant corridors and the difficulties faced by field staff in monitoring the animals.

Nagababu appreciated the efforts of Forest Department personnel in protecting elephants while ensuring that nearby communities are not inconvenienced or exposed to unnecessary risks.

He later interacted with the mahouts and veterinary doctor caring for the two kumki elephants, Jayanth and Abhimanyu, at the centre. He enquired about their health, daily care and feeding practices.

Nagababu also personally fed the kumki elephants with ragi, sweet corn, sugarcane and jaggery, highlighting the importance of proper care and nutrition for elephants involved in conservation and conflict-management operations.