MYSURU, 4 DEC

T Balachandra, a retired forest officer, recently highlighted the crucial roles played by mahouts, kavadis (elephant drivers), and veterinarians in handling wild tuskers, particularly in capturing rogue elephants. These trained professionals, working with specially trained elephants known as kumkis, assist the forest department in managing dangerous wild elephants.

He was speaking after taking part in a remembrance function of Dasara howdah elephant Arjuna, who died during an operation in Yeslur forest in Hassan district last year, organised by Mysuru Cultural Association held in the city.

Their collaborative efforts not only help capture elephants posing threats to human settlements but also ensure their safe relocation and rehabilitation.

 He said that the forest department will collect details of all tamed elephants including Dasara Jumbo, its history, before involving in elephant capturing operations.

Though there are several Dasara elephants available in the state forests, such as Arjuna, Drona, and Abhimanyu, the government must take all necessary measures to identify and tame these elephants scientifically. This will enable their involvement in combing operations conducted by the forest department.

Speaking after receiving the felicitation, Dr Nagaraj recalled the contributions of Arjuna in  protecting the lives of various department personnel caught in trouble during forest combing operations.

Arjuna who was rogue in his initial years of taming, later became mild because of the taming training initiated by Doddamasthi like Mahuts in the forest department.

A book on Arjuna written by journalist Haitichanda Ramesh Uttappa was also brought out on the occasion.

In his address, Uttappa appealed to the state government to stop using sedatives to tame jumbos, instead come up with scientific taming measures.

He also urged the government to construct a memorial after golden howdah carrying Dasara elephant Arjuna, one of the star attractions of Dasara. -Salar News