A tribute to the Elephant whisperers: Tamil Nadu's mahout village unveiled

Tamil Nadu has taken a significant step in supporting elephant caretakers with the inauguration of a new Mahout Village.

Transcript

00:00After using AI to protect elephants, the Tamil Nadu government has now turned its focus to the

00:10people who care for them. On May 13, 2025, the state inaugurated a cluster of 44 eco-friendly

00:16houses built at a cost of 5.06 crores for maharats and kavadis at the Thepakadu Elephant Camp in the

00:22Nilgiris. Thepakadu Elephant Camp in the heart of the Mudumulai Tiger Reserve is one of the

00:27oldest camps in Asia and dates back to the 1920s. These homes are not just buildings, they're a

00:32tribute to the hard work, dedication and selfless service of the maharats and kavadis. Built in

00:39consultation with the caretakers, the house cater to their needs and offer them a comfortable living

00:43space, right next to the elephant camp. The village is thoughtfully designed. Each lane is named after

00:49an elephant, honouring the deep connection between these caretakers and the elephants they look after.

00:53The homes are beautifully lit by solar lights and protected by a solar fence, ensuring both safety

00:58and sustainability. The village also features a children's playground and a basketball court,

01:03facilities built with the well-being of the entire family in mind. It's a community where

01:08maharats can live, work and play surrounded by nature. At the inauguration, Chief Minister M.K.

01:13Stalin celebrated the completion of this important project. In his speech, he highlighted how this

01:18village stands as an ode to the selfless service of the maharats and kavadis who play a vital role

01:23in elephant conservation. Among the special guests at the inauguration were Boman and Belli,

01:28the maharat couple featured in the Oscar-winning short film The Elephant Whisperers. Their request

01:32for housing for the elephant caretakers made during the visit to the Academy Awards has now

01:37been realised with the opening of this village. This is what Chief Minister Stalin tweeted. During his

01:42visit, Chief Minister Stalin also took time to observe the elephants being fed and even had the

01:46chance to feed Bama, the oldest elephant at the camp, a sweet gesture of goodwill. This new maharat village

01:52is a symbol of how Tamil Nadu is honouring the bond between humans and elephants. Tamil Nadu's

01:56elephant conservation efforts in 2025 are spearheaded by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department

02:01under the guidance of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu.

02:06The state has implemented AI-based early warning systems, restored habitats and modernised elephant

02:11camps. These initiatives aim to reduce human-elephant conflict and ensure the safety and well-being

02:16of elephants.