Forest dept seeks nod for elephant corridor again (Visakhapatnam) Siva G, Times of India May 17, 2023 Following the death of four wild elephants near Katragedda in Bhamini mandal on Friday due to electrocution, the forest department has once again mooted the elephant corridor or zone, a protected area for the jumbos. This would also be instrumental in safeguarding the public. It may be recalled that the forest department had mooted the proposal in 2019 after two elephants died and few people were killed by the tuskers. Though the borders of Odisha have good forest cover, the jumbos settled in the Parvathipuram Manyam district in AP area after crossing the border as they found enrichment food such as bananas, sugarcane, paddy and plenty of water sources, Parvathipuram DFO GAP Prasanna told TOI. With the recent death of four elephants, only 14 others are left in the Parvathipuram Manyam district. After the restructuring of the districts in the state, the area where wild elephants keep roaming, has come Parvathipuram Manyam district as the Seetampeta, Bhamini, Veeraghattam, Palakonda of Srikakulam district are now part it. The district forest officials are now focusing on protected area for the elephants and also, on why the elephants are coming from Lakheri forests of Odisha. Most elephants came from Parlakhemundi forest division. The North Andhra forest officials and CCF Srikanthanatha Reddy interacted with the Parlakhemundi DFO to know why the wild elephants are entering into AP land. Reddy told TOI that they are now proposing a protected area for jumbos that would extend at least for 1000 acres on the banks of River Nagavali or Vamsadhara, by putting physical barriers. The authorities may either acquire the land or allot a reserve forest area for the same. The acceptance of jumbos staying in the Parvathipuram Manyam area has been started in the district. So, the forest department is now planning to set up the protected area. “We wish to interact with other forest officials of Odisha to know the topography, other issues, and conditions of habitat in Odisha. We will submit a report to the government about the protected area and also take the volunteers from villages of the surroundings of the elephant protected area to safeguard the animals and also the public,” CCF Srikanthanatha said. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/forest-dept-seeks-nod-for-elephant-corridor-again/articleshow/100290772.cms