http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh/Elephant_rescue_centre_on_way/articleshow/2659827.cms
Elephant rescue centre on way
29 Dec 2007, 0302 hrs IST,Shiv Sharma,TNN
YAMUNANAGAR: Haryana forests minister Kiran Chaudhry on Friday laid the foundation stone for an elephant rescue centre (ERC), first of its kind in India, at Bansantour forest here.
The ERC was earlier planned in Chakbala Sahib area but it could not be realized due to land constraints. Centre has already released Rs 50 lakh for the Rs 90-lakh project. Construction of ERC is expected to be completed within a few months.
The government plans to keep 20 elephants here. Initially, five elephant sheds would be constructed and two elephants would be kept in each shed. Later, more sheds would be built for the rest 10 elephants. Arrangements for refreshments and medical facilities besides providing water tanks to meet the requirement of bathing and drinking by elephants would also be made available here.
The ERC would provide shelter to sick, injured and such elephants which are being kept without ownership certificates. Bansantour forest provides natural habitant for elephants. The area has sufficient Rohini (Kamala) and bamboo which are relished by elephants, Kiran Choudhry told TOI after laying the foundation stone.
Fifty acres of forest land has been earmarked for the purpose and depending upon the number of elephants to be rehabilitated, more area, if required, will be made available, the minister said.
For running the centre in an effective manner, the government will engage a Delhi-based NGO, Wildlife SOS, which is at present running 5 Bear Rescue Centres in the country with about 425 bears in them, she said.
A small water body would be constructed inside the ERC for bathing the elephants. The water body would be connected to a big water source to be constructed about 2 km away from the elephant centre. The main water body will supply water to the small water body on a continuous basis.
The forest minister, who is also tourism minister, said there was a plan to develop eco-tourism in this area as well as Kalesher area of the district.
HC Disodia, financial commissioner and principal commissioner, Haryana, JPL Srivastava, DG of forest, Central government, Dr Jagdish Kumar Rawat, principal chief conservator of forests, Dr RD Jakati, addl PCCF (wildlife) and Nitin Kumar Yadav, DC, Yamunanagar were also present on the occasion.