29 jumbos are expected to take part in the annual rejuvenation exercise this year

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department is gearing up to complete the arrangements for the 11th edition of the 48-day annual rejuvenation camp for temple and mutt elephants on a sprawling six-acre campus at Thekkampatti, near Mettuppalayam.

The boarding of temple and mutt elephants from the respective locations is likely to begin on Wednesday to enable the animals, mahouts and cavadis to reach the camp site on Thursday. The camp, located along the banks of river Bhavani at the foothills of the Nilgiris in a picturesque location, is expected to begin on Friday.

The rejuvenation camp for temple, mutt and Forest department elephants was a pet project of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The first four camps were held at Theppakkadu in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris. Later, because of the arduous uphill travel that the elephants had to undertake, especially after a long journey in the plains, the camp was shifted to Thekkampatti in the plains. Six camps had been conducted so far.

Last year, as many as 33 elephants attended the camp. As instructions to exempt aged, ailing elephants and those in musth had been given, HR & CE officials expect 29 elephants, including “guests” from the neighbouring Puducherry and Karaikal, to attend the camp this year.

Plethora of facilities

A team of HR & CE officials led by Joint Commissioner K. Rajamanickam is preparing the camp site. An expansive space with shower facility has been created on the banks of the river for the jumbos to have their morning shower. A circuitous walking track for nearly one km for the jumbos to have three rounds of walk every day, sheds to prepare food for elephants besides their mahouts and cavadis (handlers), a camp office for administrative work, toilets, and a temporary auditorium to keep the mahouts and cavadis entertained in the evenings for the next 48 days are the facilities that are nearing completion.

As part of the security measures, eight watch towers, high mast lights, a solar fence and a hanging solar fence for 1.5 km stretch to keep wild elephants at bay have also been arranged, all estimated to cost ₹1.5 crore, including the recurring expenditure.

On arrival, the health card of the elephants will be scrutinised and they would be subjected to a medical check-up. A diet chart would be prepared for each elephant based on its gender, height, weight, and health factors. The diet includes 11 types of greens, five varieties of grams, rice, ragi, sugarcane, seven types of medicines and vitamins and mineral supplements. The mahouts and cavadis will also be subjected to a medical check-up this time apart the usual orientation session to give them an idea of the behavioural pattern of jumbos.

In addition to the HR&CE team, forest veterinarians and their colleagues from the Animal Husbandry Department and Forest Department would be part of the team that will be running the camp. Officials plan to let the public view the elephants at Theppakadu for a few hours in the morning and evening. But visitors would be allowed only up to a distance for security reasons.