Berhampur, Dec 20: An elephant care centre will soon be established in the Chandragiri reserve forest area in Odisha’s Ganjam district, according to local MLA Pradyumna Nayak.
The forest department has set aside 21 hectares of land near Beruabadi for this new facility. The proposal from the Ghumusar North forest division is currently under review and is expected to receive approval shortly, Nayak, the MLA from Bhanjanagar, confirmed.
Nayak further mentioned that he has already had discussions on the matter with the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia. The new facility will be the third elephant rescue and care centre in Odisha, following those in Chandaka (Khurda district) and Kapilash (Dhenkanal). It will be dedicated to the care of elderly, injured, or sick elephants.
In addition to serving the Ghumusar North division, the centre will also cater to elephants from the Ghumusar South, Berhampur, Paralakhemundi, Nayagarh, Boudh, Baliguda, and Phulbani forest divisions.
The centre will feature essential amenities, including a quarantine and treatment unit, a transition zone, water facilities, solar lighting, and a fodder cultivation area.
The total cost of establishing the centre is estimated to be around Rs 3 crore.
