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
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
