Bamboo forests in Chandaka boosts jumbo population (Bhubaneswar)
Riyan Ramanath V, Times of India
July 25, 2024
Revival of bamboo forest in Chandaka wildlife sanctuary, on outskirts of
the city, has helped in increasing elephant population in the habitat that
once had just one or two
elephants.
Bamboo forest that covers over 40% of Chandaka’s 193 sq km area is the
primary fodder of elephants. Bamboo plants grow rapidly and the pachyderms
are aware of it and thus stick to the habitat.
Breeding of elephants has also improved significantly in Chandaka. “We are
recording the birth of around four to five calves a year. During the census
in May, 45 elephants had been sighted with 27 being females, four calves
and rest being tuskers.
Now it has gone up to 51. Since food is available now, they hardly
migrate,” said divisional forest officer (Chandaka) Sarat Behera.
If there is ample amount of forest cover, elephants don’t stray into human
habitation. The incidence of straying has reduced drastically though
currently there are 45 elephants in Chandaka. Earlier, Chandaka elephants
were known to migrate to neighbouring forests in search of food, wildlife
officials said.
“It is good that the elephant population in Chandaka is stable now. But it
is a small habitat close to the city. The elephants often move to the
neighbouring Athagarh forest division crossing the Mahanadi,” said wildlife
expert Biswajit Mohanty.
In 2015, Chandaka authorities planted 5,000 banana trees in the sanctuary
for food of the pachyderms. But later it was observed that the jumbos were
more attracted to freshly harvested paddy than banana. An adult
elephanteats about 200 kg of food a day, wildlife officials said. In the
2012-13 elephant census, the authorities recorded the presence of 23
elephants in the sanctuary.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/revival-of-bamboo-forest-in-chandaka-wildlife-sanctuary-boosts-elephant-population/articleshow/112000038.cms
Bamboo forests in Chandaka boosts jumbo population (Bhubaneswar)
Riyan Ramanath V, Times of India
July 25, 2024
Revival of bamboo forest in Chandaka wildlife sanctuary, on outskirts of
the city, has helped in increasing elephant population in the habitat that
once had just one or two
elephants.
Bamboo forest that covers over 40% of Chandaka’s 193 sq km area is the
primary fodder of elephants. Bamboo plants grow rapidly and the pachyderms
are aware of it and thus stick to the habitat.
Breeding of elephants has also improved significantly in Chandaka. “We are
recording the birth of around four to five calves a year. During the census
in May, 45 elephants had been sighted with 27 being females, four calves
and rest being tuskers.
Now it has gone up to 51. Since food is available now, they hardly
migrate,” said divisional forest officer (Chandaka) Sarat Behera.
If there is ample amount of forest cover, elephants don’t stray into human
habitation. The incidence of straying has reduced drastically though
currently there are 45 elephants in Chandaka. Earlier, Chandaka elephants
were known to migrate to neighbouring forests in search of food, wildlife
officials said.
“It is good that the elephant population in Chandaka is stable now. But it
is a small habitat close to the city. The elephants often move to the
neighbouring Athagarh forest division crossing the Mahanadi,” said wildlife
expert Biswajit Mohanty.
In 2015, Chandaka authorities planted 5,000 banana trees in the sanctuary
for food of the pachyderms. But later it was observed that the jumbos were
more attracted to freshly harvested paddy than banana. An adult
elephanteats about 200 kg of food a day, wildlife officials said. In the
2012-13 elephant census, the authorities recorded the presence of 23
elephants in the sanctuary.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/revival-of-bamboo-forest-in-chandaka-wildlife-sanctuary-boosts-elephant-population/articleshow/112000038.cms