The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is finalising a proposal to open the Chadivayal Elephant Camp, situated near the Siruvani foothills in Coimbatore district, to the public — allowing visitors to watch captive elephants being fed and bathed in a regulated setting. If approved, the facility is poised to become a significant eco-tourism draw in the region while advancing awareness about elephant conservation and human-elephant conflict management.

A ₹8 Crore Facility Built for Rehabilitation

Developed at a cost of ₹8 crore and inaugurated by former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Chadivayal camp has been transformed into a modern captive elephant rehabilitation and conflict-management centre. The facility can accommodate up to 18 elephants and is equipped with elephant shelters, mahout quarters, bathing areas, a natural pond, a kraal for training, and dedicated kitchens for preparing specialised diets. At present, the camp houses four elephants.

Strategic Location Along a Popular Tourist Route

The camp sits on the route to the Kovai Kutralam waterfalls, a destination that draws an estimated 2,000 visitors on weekends and around 500 on weekdays, according to forest officials. Authorities believe that integrating the elephant camp into the tourism circuit will substantially enhance the area's appeal. However, because Kovai Kutralam operates between 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and the elephants are typically fed at 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., officials are exploring adjusted viewing schedules so tourists can safely witness feeding and bathing sessions without disrupting the animals' welfare.

The Model: Regulated Access, Welfare First

Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, D. Venkatesan, confirmed that officials and veterinarians are actively discussing the modalities for regulated public access. The proposed framework is expected to mirror the approach adopted at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai and the Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, where tourists observe elephants only during designated hours under supervised conditions.

Meet the Residents: Four Elephants With Distinct Histories

Muthu, a 24-year-old male elephant transferred from the Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp, is among the camp's most notable residents. Previously nicknamed 'Arisi Raja' after repeatedly straying into human settlements near Pollachi in search of food, Muthu is now undergoing training as a kumki elephant — a role that will see him assist in driving wild elephants away from farmlands and residential areas in Coimbatore district.

Kaveri, a 17-year-old female also brought from Kozhikamuthi, will remain at the camp for care and management and will not be deployed for conflict-mitigation duties. John, a 35-year-old male transferred from Theppakadu, has prior experience managing human-elephant conflict along Coimbatore's forest fringes. Sumangala, an adult female rescued as an orphaned calf in 1988 and shifted from Mudumalai after recovering from a leg injury, rounds out the current cohort.

What Comes Next

The Forest Department plans to bring additional elephants to Chadivayal in the coming months. Officials maintain that public access, if implemented carefully, will not only deliver a distinctive wildlife experience but also educate visitors on the realities of elephant rehabilitation and the ongoing challenges of managing human-elephant conflict across Tamil Nadu. A formal proposal is awaiting approval before any visitor schedule is announced.