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The Forest Department is producing a documentary on elephants highlighting their cultural and historical association of elephants with society.
It will focus on elephant behaviour, their ecological role in dispersal of seeds to pave way for regeneration of forests and diversity, their participation in cultural events like Mysuru Dasara among others, besides highlighting how elephants have emerged as a cultural icon in India. .
45-minute documentary
The focus of the 45-minute documentary is on conservation of elephants — and by extension other forms of wildlife — which have coexisted in human landscape for centuries but this relationship is increasingly coming under strain in modern times.
V. Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife division, told The Hindu on Wednesday that the documentary will also portray stakeholders, including local communities that live close to elephant habitat and on forest fringes.
Underlining the importance of the ecological role of elephants, Mr. Yedukondalu said some species rely entirely upon elephants for seed dispersal.
Dos and dont’s
The film is being directed by Mr. Yedukondalu and a few shots have been taken at places like Dubare elephant camp and Nagarahole national park. Certain shots will be taken at Bandipur national park and surroundings of Mahadeshwara Hills, he said, adding that it will also contain dos and dont’s on scaring elephants away from fields.
The department will shoot the Gajapayana to be held on August 12 at Veerahosanahalli of Nagarahole national park.