Elephant corridors, habitats must be protected, says Eluru DFO - The HinduPublished - August 12, 2026 05:59 pm IST - ELURUThe Eluru Forest Division organised awareness programmes, rallies and seminars across its forest ranges on Wednesday (August 12) to mark World Elephant Day.Speaking on the occasion, District Forest Officer P.V. Sandeep Reddy said elephants played a crucial role in maintaining the health of forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds and contributing to biodiversity and ecological balance. Their presence was an important indicator of a healthy forest ecosystem, he said.He urged people living in forest-fringe areas to remain alert whenever elephants were spotted and refrain from causing any harm or disturbance to the animals. Special surveillance and tracking teams had been deployed by the Forest Department to monitor elephant movement and prevent human-elephant conflict, he said.Mr. Sandeep Reddy stressed the need to protect traditional elephant corridors and natural habitats, describing their conservation as a collective social responsibility.Awareness rallies were conducted in all the ranges of the division, with Forest Range Officers, Deputy Range Officers, Section Officers, Beat Officers, Base Camp personnel, teachers, students and villagers participating in the programmes.Various competitions were conducted for students as part of the celebrations. Certificates were presented to the winners, while forest personnel who had demonstrated exemplary performance in forest protection were also felicitated.Published - August 12, 2026 05:59 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }