Forest Department to consider permitting visitors to Chadivayal elephant camp
The Forest Department is considering opening the Chadivayal elephant camp to visitors to promote conservation awareness. The proposal aims to allow public viewing of elephant feeding sessions while ensuring the routine of the captive animals remains undisturbed.
Why it matters
Balances wildlife conservation efforts with public engagement and potential revenue generation for facility maintenance.
The Forest Department is exploring the possibilities of permitting visitors to its elephant camp at Chadivayal in Coimbatore district.
The plan is to allow visitors to witness feeding of elephants as permitted in Theppakadu elephant camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. This will also be a platform to create awareness among visitors on the importance of elephant conservation.
Nestled within the limits of the Boluvampatti forest range, Chadivayal camp is currently housing four captive elephants of the Forest Department, namely Muthu, Cauvery, John and Sumangala.
The camp, located at the tail end of Siruvani Road, has the potential to attract visitors due to its proximity to Kovai Courtallam waterfall, which attracts 200 to 400 people during weekdays and 1,500 to 2,000 visitors on weekends. Tickets to people visiting the waterfall are issued at the Forest Department checkpost at Chadivayal.
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