Jharkhand’s First Elephant Care Centre Comes Up at Dalma foothills

Jamshedpur: In a major step towards strengthening wildlife conservation efforts, Jharkhand’s first Elephant Rescue and Care Centre has been completed at the foothills of the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. Developed by the Forest Department at an estimated cost of around ₹1 crore, the facility is located at Bhadudih near Dimna Lake.

Spread across nearly seven hectares, the centre has been designed to provide advanced medical treatment, care, and rehabilitation for injured, sick, or straying elephants. Officials said the infrastructure replicates natural surroundings to ensure minimal stress for the animals during recovery.

The facility includes dedicated water bodies such as ponds and tanks, designated bathing areas, and a steady supply of fodder along with specialised nutrition. Experienced mahouts have been appointed for handling the elephants, while a team of veterinary experts will oversee regular health check-ups and emergency care.

Divisional Forest Officer Saba Alam Ansari stated that the centre is fully ready and is expected to be inaugurated within the month. He added that it would significantly improve the response time in treating injured elephants and reduce mortality caused by delays.

The Forest Department has also outlined plans to expand similar facilities across Jharkhand. New centres are proposed along the Damodar river belt in Hazaribagh and Latehar, on the Ranchi–Gumla border, and in Chaibasa in West Singhbhum district.

Officials noted that, until now, the department often depended on external support or had to transport elephants over long distances for treatment, which proved risky. The new centre is expected to ensure timely intervention and better protection for the state’s elephant population.

Why This Matters

Previously, the Jharkhand Forest Department had to rely on external experts or transport injured elephants long distances for treatment. These delays often proved fatal for the animals. By establishing local, modern care centers, the state aims to provide immediate medical intervention, reducing mortality rates among the local elephant population.