In a landmark display of inter‑state cooperation, Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan personally accepted five Kumki elephants from the Government of Karnataka, bolstering efforts to shield farmlands and villages from wild elephant incursions.
Handover Ceremony at Vidhana Soudha
The solemn transfer took place at Karnataka’s Vidhana Soudha, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar, and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre in attendance. As forest officials performed formal rituals, the majestic elephants—trained for human‑elephant conflict mitigation—were entrusted to the care of Andhra Pradesh’s Forest Department.
“I pledge to Karnataka’s leadership that these Kumki elephants will receive the highest standard of care under my personal supervision,” declared Pawan Kalyan.
A Two‑Decade Challenge
For over twenty years, communities along Andhra Pradesh’s forest fringes have grappled with destructive elephant forays—rampaging through crops, damaging property, and occasionally endangering lives. The newly arrived Kumkis, skilled in steering wild herds away from human settlements, promise to dramatically reduce such conflicts.
“With these elephants at our side, we can safeguard both human lives and livelihoods,” the Deputy CM affirmed.
Beyond Elephants: A Broader Environmental Pact
Pawan Kalyan also highlighted a growing alliance between the two southern states on environmental issues: Red Sandalwood Smuggling: Coordinated patrols and intelligence‑sharing to crack down on illegal timber trade. Forest Conservation: Joint reforestation drives and wildlife corridor preservation.
“Despite differing political landscapes, Karnataka’s generosity—both in words and in these elephants—reflects a shared commitment to ecological stewardship,” he added, expressing gratitude to his hosts.
Next Steps
Following a routinary health check and acclimatization period, the Kumki elephants will be dispatched to strategic locations along Andhra Pradesh’s forest boundary. Trained mahouts and wildlife specialists will deploy them to guide wild herds back into deep forest zones, offering relief to farmers and villagers.
As these gentle giants take up their new roles, Andhra Pradesh moves one step closer to a sustainable solution for human‑elephant coexistence—powered by teamwork, compassion, and the silent strength of five Kumki elephants.
