Thiruvananthapuram: India’s first-ever elephant rehabilitation centreĀ at a cost of Rs 105 crore is reportedly coming up in Kottoor, Kerala.
The facility, housing an elephant museum, mahout training centre, a well-equipped veterinary hospital and crematorium, is being set up the Kerala government to take care of orphaned or abandoned elephants.
The phase one of the project was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanĀ last month. According to a media report, the facility will be a semi-wild set up andĀ can accommodate 50 elephants, and residence for 80 mahouts have been arranged. The 56 hectares of land will also include administration blocks and tourist cafeteria. Also plans are onĀ to accommodate aged captive elephants.
A three-member technical committee has been set up forĀ Koottoor elephant rehabilitation centre. TheĀ project will help provide an opportunity for people to study elephants, to understand their anatomy and physiology. The centre will provideĀ natural habitat and reduce the stress among the animals.