Karnataka govt hands over kumki elephants to Andhra Pradesh
Bengaluru (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday stressed the need for cooperation and coordination between states in mitigating human-elephant conflicts that are increasing, as Karnataka handed over six Kumki (trained) elephants to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Four elephants were handed over by the Karnataka government to Andhra Pradesh at an event here that was attended by that state's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
According to officials, the Kumki elephants will be used to control herds of rogue elephants in Andhra Pradesh, entering farmlands, ransacking fields and attacking people.
Elephants given to Andhra Pradesh are: Krishna (15) which was captured in Chikkamagaluru in 2022; Shivamogga Abhimanyu (14) captured in Honnali in 2023; Deva (39) captured in Kushalnagar in 2019; and Ranjan (26), an elephant born in the Dubare camp.
"We are handing over elephants to Andhra Pradesh from Karnataka. We have agreed on handing over six kumki elephants, but today we are handing over four and the remaining two will be handed over later. All these elephants are trained. For about one month, the mahouts who take care of elephants from Andhra were trained," Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing the handing over event, he said there are 3,695 elephants in the state, which is probably the highest in the country.
"In recent times, the human-elephant conflicts are increasing and cooperation of all states is important to prevent it. Only when there is coordination with other states, the conflicts can be brought down. If it can be prevented, it is even good. It has been increasing and should be brought down, as it is leading to loss of crops and lives. Stopping it is the responsibility of all states, including Karnataka," he added.
Stating that Karnataka has more elephants and has the potential to give them to other states, the CM said there is no need for anyone to worry.
"Increasing forest cover and protecting the forest is a responsible job. Human-elephant conflicts should be prevented. Let's all strive for it by joining hands with other states," he added.
Kumki elephants will help tackle the menace of wild elephants, destroying crops and occasionally attacking people in Andhra Pradesh, by driving wild herds back into forest limits.
Pawan Kalyan, later speaking to reporters, thanked Karnataka government for its help in mitigating human-elephant conflict in his state by providing Kumki elephants.
"Andhra Pradesh, for the last 20 years, has felt the need to mitigate elephant and human conflict and has thought about how to go about it. The Karnataka government has done an excellent job. Their mitigation measures are excellent and we are learning from the Karnataka government," he said.
Stating that the moment he approached Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre without any hesitation, he agreed to help us, which is a great gesture. Apart from Kumki elephants, we have also had deeper knowledge sharing, Kalyan said.
"We did not request elephants. It is their (Karnataka's) large heartedness. Even if they had given two elephants it was more. The Karnataka CM and the minister have blessed us with six elephants," he said, as he assured that the elephants will be taken care of well, and he would personally monitor them from time to time.
The elephants will be partly in Chittoor and north coastal Andhra. Kumki elephants will be used to guide the wild elephants and make sure that they don't come over to human habitation, which leads to human-elephant conflicts, he said.
Asked whether this is a new beginning in the relationship between two states, Kalyan said, "Exactly, this is what Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar also said. He spoke about speaking to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu regarding Tungabhadra water sharing. I will take the request that has been put across. I will take it forward and meditate on whatever is needed between both states."
ದೇಶದಲ್ಲೇ ಆನೆ ಸಂಪತ್ತು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿರುವ ರಾಜ್ಯ ನಮ್ಮದು. 3,695 ಆನೆಗಳು ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿವೆ. ಮಾನವ - ಆನೆ ಸಂಘರ್ಷ ತಡೆಗಟ್ಟಲು ಅಕ್ಕಪಕ್ಕದ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳ ಸಹಕಾರವೂ ಅಗತ್ಯ.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) May 21, 2025
ಮಾನವ, ಆನೆ ಸಂಘರ್ಷ ತಡೆಯುವುದರಿಂದ ಜೀವ ಹಾನಿ, ಬೆಳೆ ಹಾನಿ ತಪ್ಪುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ಮಹತ್ವದ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದಲೇ ರಾಜ್ಯದಿಂದ ಆರು ಕುಮ್ಕಿ ಆನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಆಂಧ್ರಕ್ಕೆ… pic.twitter.com/g8lAPC4NAB
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Landslide in Shivamogga: Bodies of three manual workers recovered from under debris
District authorities close Hulikal Ghat route, also Agumbe Ghat, Nittur-Nagodi Ghat roads
Shivamogga: The bodies of three workers who had died in an incident of landslide near a hairpin bend on State Highway 52 in Hulikal Ghat of Hosanagar taluk on Thursday were recovered by the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and fire brigade staff members on Friday.
The mishap reportedly occurred during the work of widening the road near the Shri Chandikamba Temple at Hulikal Ghat.
The deceased workers are identified as Raghu of Chakkaru village near Shivamogga city, and Shabbir and Raju of Nelagallu village, Haveri district.
The bodies of Raghu and Raju were found on Thursday night, while Shabbir’s body was found at 3 am on Friday. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary of the city hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Four other workers are said to have been injured and are being treated in hospital.
Senior BJP leader and Theerthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra paid a visit to the mishap scene and also visited the hospital to inquire about the health condition of the workers.
He expressed sorrow at the loss of life in the incident and told reporters he offered condolence and support to the bereaved families.
The State Highway 52 has been blocked at Hulikal Ghat for traffic movement at present, following the Thursday landslide. Although it is a prominent stretch that connects Shivamogga to Theerthahalli, Nagara, Hulikal Ghat and Kundapur, the authorities have announced it closure for vehicular movement till further instructions.
In addition, the district authorities have asked vehicle users to avoid the Agumbe Ghat route in Theerthahalli taluk and Nittur-Nagodi Ghat route of Hosanagar taluk, which are most frequently used, and take alternative roads.
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