Asian elephant centre in Coimbatore aims to tackle human-elephant conflict
Wilson Thomas, The Hindu
March 18, 2025
See link
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/asian-elephant-centre-in-coimbatore-aims-to-tackle-human-elephant-conflict/article69345046.ece
for photo.
With nearly 15,000 incidents of wild elephants entering human habitations
reported between 2021 and 2024, the Coimbatore Forest Division is among the
hotbeds of negative interactions between humans and the pachyderms in the
region.
For the same reason, the Asian Elephant Conservation Research and Conflict
Management Centre has been established recently in Coimbatore under the
Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII).
“The centre focuses on research on Asian elephant behaviour, creating
awareness on the need to conserve the species and capacity building
activities to take conservation efforts further. The centre aims to address
human – elephant conflicts in Coimbatore and surrounding regions and come
up with innovative mitigation measures,” said M. Naveen, Scientist at the
centre.
With an allocation of ₹1.87 crore, the centre will act as a central hub for
research, data collection, GIS RS (Geographic Information Systems and
Remote Sensing) mapping, knowledge sharing and census operations relating
to human – elephant conflict. It will also study threats and landscape
changes in Coimbatore and adjacent regions.
According to Mr. Naveen, data on elephant behaviour is very crucial in
addressing the conflict situation. The centre will collect data from
Coimbatore Forest Division and neighbouring divisions for research. Being
long-ranging animals, elephants in the region move along different
landscapes, comprising parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Coimbatore, the
Nilgiris, Sathyamangalam in Erode and even up to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri
in Tamil Nadu.
As part of promoting innovations for conflict mitigation, the centre
recently conducted a hackathon for engineering college students to come out
with solutions to tackle human-animal conflict.
“Students came out with innovative ideas for conflict mitigation at the
event. The projects of the winners will be tested on the field in April to
check their feasibility. As part of creating awareness among the public,
the centre has launched ‘Friends of Elephants’ initiative, which teaches
conservation importance of elephants – nature’s guardians of forests,”
added Mr. Naveen.
The centre located on the District Forest Office premises on Mettupalayam
Road has a Scientist, a GIS analyst and a researcher. An Asian elephant
committee for the centre includes N.S. Manoharan, Additional Director
(retd) of Veterinary Services; D. Boominathan, Landscape Coordinator,
WWF-India Western Ghats Nilgiris Landscape Programme; and G.
Sivasubramanian, Assistant Professor and Head (in-charge) of the Department
of Wildlife Biology at Kongunadu Arts and Science College.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/asian-elephant-centre-in-coimbatore-aims-to-tackle-human-elephant-conflict/article69345046.ece
Asian elephant centre in Coimbatore aims to tackle human-elephant conflict
Wilson Thomas, The Hindu
March 18, 2025
See link
<https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/asian-elephant-centre-in-coimbatore-aims-to-tackle-human-elephant-conflict/article69345046.ece>
for photo.
With nearly 15,000 incidents of wild elephants entering human habitations
reported between 2021 and 2024, the Coimbatore Forest Division is among the
hotbeds of negative interactions between humans and the pachyderms in the
region.
For the same reason, the Asian Elephant Conservation Research and Conflict
Management Centre has been established recently in Coimbatore under the
Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII).
“The centre focuses on research on Asian elephant behaviour, creating
awareness on the need to conserve the species and capacity building
activities to take conservation efforts further. The centre aims to address
human – elephant conflicts in Coimbatore and surrounding regions and come
up with innovative mitigation measures,” said M. Naveen, Scientist at the
centre.
With an allocation of ₹1.87 crore, the centre will act as a central hub for
research, data collection, GIS RS (Geographic Information Systems and
Remote Sensing) mapping, knowledge sharing and census operations relating
to human – elephant conflict. It will also study threats and landscape
changes in Coimbatore and adjacent regions.
According to Mr. Naveen, data on elephant behaviour is very crucial in
addressing the conflict situation. The centre will collect data from
Coimbatore Forest Division and neighbouring divisions for research. Being
long-ranging animals, elephants in the region move along different
landscapes, comprising parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Coimbatore, the
Nilgiris, Sathyamangalam in Erode and even up to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri
in Tamil Nadu.
As part of promoting innovations for conflict mitigation, the centre
recently conducted a hackathon for engineering college students to come out
with solutions to tackle human-animal conflict.
“Students came out with innovative ideas for conflict mitigation at the
event. The projects of the winners will be tested on the field in April to
check their feasibility. As part of creating awareness among the public,
the centre has launched ‘Friends of Elephants’ initiative, which teaches
conservation importance of elephants – nature’s guardians of forests,”
added Mr. Naveen.
The centre located on the District Forest Office premises on Mettupalayam
Road has a Scientist, a GIS analyst and a researcher. An Asian elephant
committee for the centre includes N.S. Manoharan, Additional Director
(retd) of Veterinary Services; D. Boominathan, Landscape Coordinator,
WWF-India Western Ghats Nilgiris Landscape Programme; and G.
Sivasubramanian, Assistant Professor and Head (in-charge) of the Department
of Wildlife Biology at Kongunadu Arts and Science College.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/asian-elephant-centre-in-coimbatore-aims-to-tackle-human-elephant-conflict/article69345046.ece
