The reward for tireless work: Mahouts and “Kavadis” will be able to stay in the houses built in Theppakada Elephant camp until retirement, the officials say. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Mahouts and “Kavadis” lived in Udhagamandalam in dilapidated houses with minimal equipment. Last week, however, in the heart of the Theppakada camp Elephant, more than 40 Mahout families and “Kavadi”, which take care of the elephants of the camp, was busy moved to their new homes.
Between the preparation for the visit of the main Minister of MK Stalin in Tábor 13. May Mahouts spoke with journalists about how newly built houses, what would throw stones from the main camp camp, is a step to ensure the safety and good living conditions of the most famous forest cadre.
“We live in the settlements around the camp, in dilapidated houses that lack hygiene and equipment. These newly built houses are a welcome relief, especially if we need to rush to the camp in the evening when the wild game movement is high,” Mahout said.
Street named after elephants
This village, which is said to be the “first reserved black neighborhood”, has 44 houses built with modern techniques and comfort for Mahouts, “Kavadis” and their famil In pedestrians, and that they are infantry that have pedestrians and mate, which are in five, which are pedestrians, and that they are pedestrians and playing courts that are in pedestrians. Glory for their role as protagonists in an Oscar -winning document of the same name, published in 2022.
While the document undoubtedly shone the reflector to Mahouts and “Kavadis” Theppakada Elephant Camp, the forest department officials claim that the improving the lives of employees was a matter of the ministry. Both Bomman and Bellie were present in the inauguration of the village. They were glad that they met the main minister and the black neighborhood was opened in the camp.
In an interview with the Hindus, the main guardian of Rrakesh Kumar Doungra, he said the project: “Brain-child Chief Minister and Supriya Sahu, Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests,” would greatly benefit the Mahouts and “Kavadis” who deserved devotees.
“Mahouts and” Kavadis “are on the lowest rank of forest department, but they are the front line workers who take care of and train captured elephants that are used in a number of roles, including minimizing negative interactions with human animals,” he said.
Families consulted
He said that because there was no housing for these workers, the main minister announced the construction of houses for Mahouts and “Kavadis” in Theppakad and Kozhikamith of Elephant camps in Anamalai Tiger Reserve. “It is unique that they were consulted when the houses were designed and built to take into account their basic requirements.”
The leading officials of the forest department claim that the proximity of the village to the camp would help increase its operational efficiency. “Most of the Mahouts and” Kavadis “work 16-18 hours a day. If the elephant is sick, it will be appropriate for them to do it because their houses are several hundred meters away,” says an official attached to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
Mahouts and “Kavadis” will be able to stay in houses until retirement, the officials said.
According to Mrs. Sahu, the initiative celebrated “Unsung Heroes of Elephant Conservation in Tamil Nadu, Mahouts and” Kavadis “.” “In the center of efforts for protection are our two elephants’ camps, or rather our elephant protection centers, located in Mudumalai and Kozhikamudi. These centers serve as sanctuary for wild elephants rescued from conflict or those who are orphaned, injured or abandoned, “she said.
“Care and Wisdom”
“This successful way of protecting wild animals in Tamil Nadu would not be possible without tireless determination of the Mahouts and” Kavadis “from indigenous tribal communities that raised generations of elephants with unmistakable care and wisdom. And the shared commitment to the protection of elephants will ensure that elephants and their representatives thrive side by side, and the initiatives for the protection of elephants forward, ”she added.
Published – May 20 2025 9:49