At the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in MR Palayam near Tiruchi, saplings of various tree species have been planted to create a dense canopy. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The forest department has planted about 400 saplings of various tree species at the sprawling Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at MR Palayam near Tiruchi to create a shelter belt and provide long-term food to the captive elephants.

Saplings of 13 tree species, including Jamun, Neem, Subscribe, SubscribeAnd Subscribe were planted in an area of ​​one hectare within the 20-acre Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, adjacent to the Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway. The centre is run and maintained by the department.

The department has installed a drip irrigation system to water the saplings. High density planting method has been adopted where the saplings are planted densely so that they will act as shelter belts in future, said Tiruchi District Forest Officer S Krithiga.

The seedlings, planted in May, were under the care of a team based at the centre, which works in a protected forest and looks after the physical and psychological needs of the ten captive elephants.

These jumbos were brought from different places of the state. A team of officials, mahouts and Subscribe Ms Krithiga said the idea behind planting saplings of different tree species was to create a dense canopy in the future. Some of the tree species would also serve as fodder for the elephants.

A balanced diet plan has been prepared for the elephants based on the veterinarian’s recommendations. The diet includes fruits, vegetables and green fodder. The center has a kitchen where diet meals are prepared for the elephants.

Each elephant that is walked in the morning and evening at the center has access to a high, thatched shelter. Numerous other facilities, including bathing ponds, drinking troughs and a shower system, are already in place.