Arikkomban should be trained to become a kumki

  • June 10, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Arikkomban should be trained to become a kumki

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

  • Arikkomban, originally called Arisikomban (the elephant that prefers rice), also known as Kallakomban (the elephant that steals food), has been in the news for creating panic in Kerala’s Idukki district.

Kumki:

  • Kumki or Koomkie (also known as Thāppāna in Malayalam) is a term used in India for trained captive Asian elephants used in operations to trap wild elephants, sometimes to rescue or to provide medical treatment to an injured or trapped wild elephant.
  • Kumkis are used for capturing, calming and herding wild elephants or to lead wild elephants away in conflict situations.
  • In such cases the training process aims at preserving some of the wild dominant character in them, so that they can control wild elephants by force if necessary.
  • When wild elephants enter human settlements and kumkis are used to drive them away, sometimes direct physical contact might not be needed since the territorial behaviour is aided by scent and other communication between animals.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

  • The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern state of Kerala in India is spread over the southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 km2 (49 sq mi).
  • It is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
  • Geography:
    • This is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries – Mullayar and Kallar.
    • The towering peak of Agasthyamalai at an elevation of 1868 meters is a very prominent landmark.
  • Climate:
    • The average rainfall from the Southwest monsoon between May and July and the Northeast monsoon between October and November is about 2800 mm.
  • Flora and fauna:
    • Fauna includes tiger, leopard, sloth bear, elephant, sambar, barking deer, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr.
  • Neyyar Elephant Rehabilitation Centre complex within the area cares for several elephants, from elephant calves to an 87-year-old elephant, and offers elephant rides and elephant feeding.
  • There is also a deer rehabilitation centre.
Arikkomban should be trained to become a kumki Environment