A case of role reversal.
Up until half a century ago, perhaps less, and for thousands of years before that the kumkis (specially trained domestic elephants) would have been used to con young, working age, elephants out of the jungle to help the humans, now they're being used to take them back in.
Of course, it is only going to work if there is 'deep' jungle left that isn't already being eaten by elephants and if the elephants, the least forgetful of creatures, forget the tasty paddy, plantation and (see last blog) perhaps beer just a couple of day's march away.
Anyway, I won't let my usual over complication of thought get in the way of the simplicity of the idea and the sweet juxtaposition of roles of the domestic elephants.
Wonder why no-one has thought of it before.
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COIMBATORE: The two tamed elephants or kumkis Nanjan (48) and Kalim (38) accompanied by six mahouts reached a settlement near Kovai Kuttralam from Top Slip in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday.
The two kumkis will push the elephant herd, which has been entering human habitations in Perur for the last five years to deep inside the forests. The kumkis were brought following the orders of Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle P C Tyagi.
Under the supervision of district forest officer I Anwardeen, a forest team comprising forest veterinary officer N S Manoharan, rangers of Coimbatore, Pooluvampatti and Karamadai besides foresters and N I Jalaludeen, president and CVA Jaleel secretary of Coimbatore District Forest Project and Environment Society will be involved in the operation, which the DFO said would commence on Monday or Tuesday
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