Elephant corridor, a New Year gift to Karnataka jumbos

NEW DELHI: It's a new year gift to nearly 1,000 elephants and other wild species who can now wander freely without any human interference through the Kollegal corridor in Karnataka. 

This has been made possible by an NGO, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) supported by its partner - the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) which has purchased nearly 25 acre-Kollegal (Edayarhalli-Doddasampige) elephant corridor from private ownership and transferred to the state government.

The corridor which connects Kollegal forests to Biligiri Ranganswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary would be soon notified to be made a part of a protected area as Karnataka Forest Department officials and WTI signed the land ownership transfer agreement last week.

"Purchasing corridor land for securement is a very good initiative to re-establish the habitat and remove impediments to elephant movement. Generally, these kind of initiatives are easier with involvement of NGOs rather than government doing it alone.

"More corridors need to be secured similarly to ensure long-term conservation of elephants," said Biswajit Misra, Karnataka deputy conservator of forests.

Simultaneously, people will be made aware of the status and significance of the corridor, he added.