Calling it fodder bank is atrocious. Are we equating the elephants with cattle? Our thought process has to be run much deeper than this.

If the top soil is not gone, then it will have the ability to grow back the native vegetation. We have the ability to plant several species of trees, however to recreate the complex web of inter-relationships of various species of trees, plants, shrubs, grasses etc is only achievable by nature.

The challenge is with all the invasives the native vegetation finds it difficult to compete. Especially the lantana needs uprooting and burning repeatedly before the patch can become clean. The British were the first to slash/burn our native vegetation and plant hundreds of hectares of teak plantation. So now some helping hand in terms of planting native vegetation will help. However, if one looks at the type of vegetation eaten by elephants, it is diverse. Starting from weeds, plants, grasses, fruits and leaves and barks of trees etc, the elephants diet is balanced and spread over many species. The Government can and is planning only a few species. Have the planned which trees will fruit in which season? It is important for the elephants to find food throughout the year and also it ought to be nutritious.

Sabyasachi