Kumki Chinnathambi stationed at Poondi near Coimbatore on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRAGEMENT
The Forest Department has brought kumki Chinnathambi from Kozhikamuthi elephant camp of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) to Vellingiri Andavar temple at Poondi in Coimbatore district to guard people from wild elephants that often enter the temple premises.
The department has already stationed another kumki Narasimhan, also from Kozhikamuthi camp, at Poondi for about a week. Chinnathambi was brought on Wednesday night as an additional layer of security, anticipating heavy inflow of people for Chithra Pournami.
According to the department, a large number of people are expected to visit the temple at Poondi in the downhill and trek Vellingiri hills for Chithra Pournami. As the temple is situated in the midst of reserve forest areas of the Boluvampatti forest range, movement of wild elephants could be expected anytime.
Narasimhan was brought to Poondi last week for the safety of devotees, following recurring incidents of a tusker entering the temple premises in search of food.
“Chinnathambi was brought to Poondi as an additional safety measure. Presence of kumkis will deter wild elephants from approaching the area. The kumkis can also be used to drive out wild elephants, if any, enter the temple compound,” said Boluvampatti forest range officer T. Suseendranath.
Published – May 08, 2025 10:21 pm IST