A New Paradigm for Wildlife Conservation: Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre Restores Elephants to Forest-Based Habitats

Kerala has once again set an outstanding example in wildlife conservation with the launch of the Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, the first of its kind in Asia to offer forest-based habitats for elephants. This model project, spearheaded by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department with funding from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), is located in Thiruvananthapuram district and is a bold step towards enhancing the welfare of wild elephants while promoting sustainable tourism. The Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre aims to provide rescued elephants with a natural, forest-like environment where they can thrive. By creating conditions that closely mimic their wild habitats, the center is designed to raise the standards of elephant care to a global level. This project also seeks to promote economic sustainability for the local wildlife community by integrating conservation efforts with responsible tourism. The 176-hectare facility, developed at a cost of ₹108 crore, can house up to 50 elephants, making it one of the largest elephant rehabilitation initiatives in the world. The project is being implemented in two phases as part of Kerala’s 100-day program, with a wide range of facilities included to ensure the well-being of the elephants and the enhancement of tourism. These include an elephant museum, a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital with super-specialty care, a research center for nature lovers and students, and a mahout training center. Additionally, the center features visitor amenities such as an entrance plaza, administrative offices, parking facilities, a cafeteria, cottages, and special observation zones where the public can safely view the elephants.Other infrastructure includes a dedicated kitchen for preparing elephant meals, spacious feeding areas, and even a crematorium and post-mortem facilities for deceased elephants. Importantly, the local tribal community will be given priority for employment opportunities at the center, ensuring that the benefits of this conservation project extend to the region’s forest-dwelling communities.In conjunction with this project, other tourism initiatives by the Forest and Water Resources Departments will be developed around Neyyar Dam, further boosting the area’s appeal as a major tourist destination. The development of a 1.7 km panchayat road connecting Kottur to the center will also improve accessibility and modernize local infrastructure.