Theppakadu Elephant camp at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Nilgiris
| Photo Credit: M. Sathyamoorthy
A section of environmental activists has voiced concern over the forest department’s plans to construct an ‘ultra modern Elephant Conservation and Environmental Centre’ in the core area of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in The Nilgiris.The estimated ₹35 crore project is being designed to upgrade the more than century-old Theppakadu Elephant Camp that houses 27 camp elephants. However, conservationists have voiced their concerns over the impact the project would have on the tiger reserve and the wildlife that surrounds the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, which is where the construction is to take place.Officials from the State forest department said the upgradation of the facilities are to take place in all the three blocks of the camp including the elephant camp, the cafeteria which sits across the camp along the Moyar River and the visitor interpretation centre. They added no new buildings would be added and the built-up area would remain the same.‘Crossing-point’ for wild elephantsConservationists, however, contend the location is a crucial “crossing-point” for wild elephants looking to cross the Moyar River, and is vital for habitat contiguity in the region. The conservationists had previously opposed the construction of a ‘township’ for the families of 44 mahouts at the camp, arguing it would sever important elephant movement pathways.
