Maharashtra: Forests of Gadchiroli offer new home for wild elephants
Maharashtra: Forests of Gadchiroli offer new home for wild elephants
Saurabh Katkurwar, Free Press Journal
August 14, 2022
In 2021 a group of 22 elephants strayed deep into the forests of
Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli and stayed there for a month, before moving back
to neighbouring Chhattisgarh. This was an unusual, surprising development
for local people, the forest department and wildlife enthusiasts, since the
district did not have a record of wild elephants living in its forests for
centuries.
Now the same group of elephants has visited Gadchiroli again, and the
remaining members of the herd appear to be on their way to join it. This
brings good news for conservation efforts since their arrival strengthens
the prospects of Gadchiroli becoming a new elephant area and even a
permanent habitat.
Kishor Mankar, conservator of forests, Gadchiroli Circle, confirmed the
arrival of the animals. “They are in East Murumgaon and Malewada ranges.
Our staff is monitoring their movement,” he said.
“In October 2021, the group of 22 elephants roamed across central
Gadchiroli and stayed there until summer began. It was a new development
since Gadchiroli has not been a wild elephant area in the known past. Rough
estimates suggest they lived here some 300-350 years ago even. The forest
department does not have any records about the existence of wild elephants
in Gadchiroli.”
According to forest officials, extensive farming and mining activities in
Chhattisgarh are major factors for the elephants looking for a new home.
Wildlife experts had expected that the elephants would visit Gadchiroli
again as they appeared to have found the local forest areas conducive
during their last visit. The availability of lush green grass, green
bamboo, chironji (Cuddapah almond) and an adequate amount of water
resources in the undisturbed areas may have attracted the elephants.
Elephant expert Anand Shinde said there was a possibility that wild
elephants existed in Gadchiroli 300-350 years ago and they migrated
elsewhere, but they might be moving back. “Elephants trying to live in
Gadchiroli signifies that the local forest is prosperous. We were sure that
they would return. It will need two-three years of observation to decide if
these elephants make Gadchiroli their permanent habitat.”
Lack of food, increase in temperature, and development activities are key
reasons for the migration, he added.
These elephants entered Maharashtra from Chhattisgarh on August 13. Their
number is higher this time – around 35. And they are a part of the bigger
herd. Sagnik Sengupta, of Stripes And Green Earth Foundation, said the
remaining members of this herd are currently in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon
area. “The remaining elephants in Chhattisgarh are following the one in
Gadchiroli. So the entire herd is likely to be in Maharashtra soon,”
Sengupta said.
Forest officials and conservationists are optimistic about Gadchiroli
acting as a suitable habitat for elephants. “It seems elephants like the
big forests of Gadchiroli, which have enough bamboo. They are roaming
freely. And nobody can stop them. It is up to them how long they want to
stay,” Mankar said.
Malewada range on the Chhattisgarh border is sparely populated and
well-suited for elephant habitat, Sengupta said. “Elephants in this herd
are dispersed and migrating. If all members of the herd come to Gadchiroli
and stay together, there are chances they make it their permanent home. And
Malewada range appears to be an ideal habitat for elephants,” he said.
These elephants have so far avoided human settlements and refrained from
damaging farms or homes. Only in one case, their movement caused some
damage to mud houses last year. Now with their return, the forest
department has started taking mitigation efforts, which largely focus on
preventing human-elephant encounters. Milind Umare, honourary wildlife
warden of Gadchiroli, said the measures seek to keep elephants away from
human settlements.
“We are appealing to people not to keep a big stock of grains or mahua
flower (Madhuca longifolia) inside their homes as elephants are attracted
by them. Also, we advise them to keep wood burning on the periphery of the
village,” Umare said.