Since 2011, more than 80 educational and commercial establishments along the elephant corridor have come under the Government scanner since 2011, the most recent being two colleges and a resort that were sealed by authorities of various departments. Strangely, at loggerheads with each other are four government agencies – the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Local Planning Authority (LPA), the forest department, and the local Panchayat.

These buildings were very close to the areas where elephants roam in search of food and water. Shutting down these buildings had helped avoid tragic accidents in which these gentle giants get killed by moving vehicles.

Animal and environmental activists have lauded the government’s proactive step and have requested the authorities to clearly define the areas that come under the elephant corridor area, in order to avoid human-animal conflicts in the future.

Photo: For representational purposes only