Bhubaneswar: The Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary will plant one lakh thornless bamboo and 10 varieties of fruit-bearing saplings to ensure a steady supply of fresh fodder for elephants and other herbivores.The sanctuary, spread across 193 sq km on the outskirts of the city, will plant the saplings over 125 acres of land.The forest department’s wildlife wing has already given the green signal and plantation work is set to begin during the ongoing monsoon season to maximize survival rates. If successful, the initiative will not only secure the future of Chandaka’s elephant population but also enhance biodiversity across the sanctuary.“Bamboo leaves are the primary fodder for elephants. Where bamboo is abundant, elephants rarely stray into human habitations. This has already reduced incidents of conflict in Chandaka. With 45 elephants currently in the sanctuary, our aim is to strengthen their habitat further by expanding bamboo cover and introducing fruit-bearing trees,” divisional forest officer Bindo Acharya said.Officials said that bamboo grows rapidly and regenerates easily. Nearly 40% of Chandaka’s area is already covered with bamboo, but the new plantation drive is expected to make the sanctuary even more self-sufficient in fodder. The addition of fruit-bearing trees will also benefit medium and small herbivores, creating a balanced ecosystem.Earlier, the bamboo plants that had grown in the sanctuary had thorns and elephants would find it difficult to eat them. “This year we decided to have bamboo plants that have no thorns after they mature,” Acharya said.The initiative is not only about food security but also about curbing elephant migration. Chandaka elephants are known to wander into neighbouring forests in search of fodder, sometimes leading to human-wildlife conflict. By enriching the sanctuary’s food resources, authorities hope to keep the elephants within their natural habitat.Experts believe this project could serve as a model for other sanctuaries facing similar challenges. With elephants being sensitive to food availability, ensuring a sustainable supply of bamboo and fruits is expected to improve their well-being and reduce stress.
