Elephant orphanage to be opened in Asom

Kokrajhar, Feb 23 (UNI) Orphaned elephants would have a home from tomorrow when an orphanage for them will be inaugurated at the Manas National Park (MNP) here.

Six baby elephants, all below three years, being brought from Kaziranga National Park, would be the first inmates of this orphanage.

The idea of this unique shelter was mooted by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) leadership, taking into account the number of stray elephants which enter the park and are displaced, due to lack of any organised shelter.

BTC deputy chief Khampa Borgayari had sent a proposal for such an orphanage to the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which was accepted after surveys and studies.

WTI would be in-charge of the orphanage, with the funding coming from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

The logistical and other support would be provided by the BTC.

The MNP was relieved only a couple of years back after Bodo militancy had forced its closure during the 1990s as wildlife and forests were heavily damaged by the militants.

However, the same militants, who had destroyed the park, emerged as its saviour when they gave up arms and took up the responsibility of restoring the park's past glory.

UNI