Uttarakhand’s famous Corbett Tiger Reserve will soon start elephant patrolling on its sensitive southern border, connecting Uttar Pradesh. Nine jumbos from Karnataka reached Kalagarh in district Pauri on Friday and the tuskers will be deployed for patrol in the vulnerable area, where accessibility becomes difficult especially in the Monsoon.

The nine elephants were moved from Karnataka on truck by road and after a long five day journey finally reached Kalagarh on Friday. In the absence of tuskers the forest department was finding it difficult to execute patrol in deep forest of the tiger reserve- spread over Pauri, Nainital and Almora districts

Dhananjai Mohan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said, “ The elephants will be used for monitoring of the tiger reserve. We will be using the initial one-two months for getting the local Mahouts familiar with new elephants.”

Many cases indicates that Intruders used to enter the Corbett Tiger Reserve through the border shared with Uttar Pradesh. The Uttarakhand Forest Department had to undertake a big and an over two year long exercise for getting the tuskers from Karnataka. The task included clearance from the central government, training of elephants and Mahouts. 

Dr Harendra Bargali, deputy director of Corbett Foundation (voluntary organization) says, “The tiger reserve is home to over two hundred tigers and over one thousand elephants. The elephant patrol will help in proper monitoring of deep forest areas.”

The elephants were ferried on truck from Karnataka and special arrangement was made for the comfort of the animals. Truck loaded with fodder and water tankers formed an integral part of the convey from Karnataka. By covering over 2000 km journey on truck the jumbos finally reached Uttarakhand. 

Besides the nine elephants, Mahouts and their assistants have also arrived from Karnataka- who will remain in the hill state for few months till the jumbos become acclimatized to the local conditions. 

Corbett Tiger Reserve attracts wildlife lovers from far and near for its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was recognized long ago as a result of which in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction of becoming the first National Park to be established in mainland Asia. 

The park was then named as the 'Hailey National Park' and was later renamed as 'Corbett National Park' after James Edward Corbett the noted hunter turned conservationist of the area.