1.INTRODUCTION
1.1 NEED FOR THE PROJECT
Rehabilitation begins when an animal is found and reported to a wildlife rehabilitator, or seized from the illegal wildlife trade or a poacher. If you find wildlife in need of rescue, it can be dangerous or even illegal to interact with the animal yourself; be sure to contact a licensed rehabilitator before taking action. The rehabilitator will examine the animal to determine the extent of the injury and the probability of successful rehabilitation. If it appears that the animal can make a sufficient recovery to be able to return to the wild, the animal will be fed, nurtured, provided safe temporary housing, and medically treated as necessary. Animals that cannot be rehabilitated are usually euthanized humanely, although animals are occasionally placed at facilities appropriately licensed for educational exhibit or brought into appropriate lifetime care in a wildlife rescue center
f you find injured or juvenile wildlife, consider if it actually needs or can be helped. If an adult allows you to approach, either because it is too injured or weakened to flee, they need care. Never try to capture adult wildlife, always contact a licensed rehabilitator. Juveniles often do not need “rescue”, be sure to watch from a distance before you make a decision to intervene. In many cases the parent is nearby but will not approach when there are people around. It is always best for juveniles to be raised by their parent. If they are injured, sick, or cold they need care. Do not try to raise the animal on your own, always contact a licensed rehabilitator. The field of wildlife rehabilitation varies from small scale operations of individuals working from their homes, usually working with a veterinarian; to professionally staffed wildlife hospitals. Some organizations are teaching wildlife hospitals: Tristate Bird Rescue, Paws Wildlife Center, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and The Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife provide training to veterinary students from around the world, and offer one-year postdoctoral internships in clinical wildlife medicine.
Another type of wildlife rehabilitator is the Senkwekwe Centre in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which cares for the only two orphan baby mountain gorillas in captivity. Their rescue and subsequent survival is considered an important contribution to the conservation of a critically endangered species.
Many wildlife rehabilitators and centers are also committed to improving the well-being of wildlife though public education; focusing on how humans can safely and peacefully coexist with native wildlife, and on wildlife’s importance to humans and the environment. Wildlife rehabilitation clinics can also often offer advice and guidance on humane solutions for “nuisance” wildlife concerns
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1.2 JUSTIFICATION- WHY ELEPHANT REHAB CENTRE
Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by the Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forests to provide financial and technical support to wildlife management efforts by states for their free-ranging populations of wild Asian Elephants. The project aims to ensure the long-term survival of the population of elephants in their natural habitats by protecting them, their habitats and migration corridors. Other goals of Project Elephant are supporting the research of the ecology and management of elephants, creating awareness of conservation among local people, providing improved veterinary care for captive elephants
ELEPHANT POACHING
Ivory and elephant tail hair are the most commonly bought elephant products. For consumers, they are a symbol of wealth and power. And given their high value, the buyers are also people with significantly higher than average incomes, according to Traffic.
This is despite the fact the ivory trade was banned more than two decades ago. Unlike elephants, only the males bear tusks within the Indian elephant population. That means poaching is skewing the gender ratio.
But, poaching is only one of many threats to India’s elephants. They’re already facing habitat loss, conflicts, and accidental deaths across railway tracks.
ELEPHANT HUMAN CONFLICT
In June, a pregnant wild elephant in Kerala’s Silent Valley National Park died after a pineapple filled with crackers offered by a man exploded in her mouth when she chomped on it. Every day, on an average, one person mostly a farmer is killed in a human-elephant conflict. Of the total deaths due to this conflict in the last six years, 48 per cent have been from Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand. These three States, along with Assam, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu, have accounted for 85 per cent of the total.
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CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS
The country is widely believed to be the “birthplace of taming elephants for use by humans”. Elephants here have been held in captive by Indians for millennia. But 17 years ago, after protests by animal rights activists over instances of handlers abusing and starving captive elephants, the government stepped in to give the animals a bit of respite.
As a result, Akila and numerous other elephants held in temples around India are now brought to a “rejuvenation camp” each year, their caretakers in tow. For several weeks, the animals unwind in a sprawling sixacre clearing in a forest at the foothills of Nilgiris, part of the country’s Western Ghats.
The Hindu religion the elephant represents one of the faith’s most important Gods Lord Ganesh. Many have noticed large Hindu temples have elephants stationed outside their doors to give blessings to visitors. Some temples hire them for use during important festivals, while others have elephants donated to them to use daily. Each blessing costs a nominal fee which is often split between the elephant’s caretaker and the temple. It is estimated that the southern state of Kerala alone has over 500 temple elephants.
ELEPHANT & MAHOUT TRAINING
According to the forest department, unlike in the past, the Kumki elephants at the camp will have a different calling.
Two decades earlier, Kumki elephants in the camp were mainly trained for assistance in timber depots. Now, these Kumki elephants will be trained specifically to assist the forest officials to keep away wild elephants that pose a threat to human habitation.
“Earlier, there used to be less man-animal conflict. So Kumki elephants were used just for assistance in operations at timber depots. This is not the case now. Over the last many years, the conflict between wild elephants and human beings are increasing in parts of the state. There is a need for Kumki elephants than ever before.
The Conservator also stated that Kerala has been using Kumki elephants from neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for assistance in keeping wild elephants at bay.
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1.3 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
Design would help the good understanding between the humans and the animals and also which can reduce the human animals conflits which is a major issue
Centre is used to develope the livehood of the elephants which comes there for timebeing and also for the perment elephants which stays there proper facility for them with all basic need for them. Where they are allowed to spen their own time peacefully
Vetinary hospital would help to treat the elephants which are under treatment and can have their regular check up of their health.
Elephant rides shows and intrectation with the elephants would attract the tourist a lot to visite the camp. Mahout can have a proper revenue by taking care of the elephants and government can support their family by providing education,basic needs & hospital for them.
1.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT
Mudumalai plays an important role in biodiversity conservation of especially large mammals, by offering habitat contiguity of about 3300 km² with three other protected areas in the region, namely Nagarahole and Bandipur National Park and Wynaad Wildlife Sanctuary through forest corridors between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. Mudumalai has a part of the single largest tiger population in India and acting as source population for the Northern and Eastern parts of the Western Ghat landscape complex and has the highest potential for long-term tiger conservation.
1.5 METHODOLOGY
•Theppakadu is the place where usually the rehabilitation camp coundected by the tamil nadu government
•In theppakdu elephants can spend their own time with good environment and the climate of the place
•The short shubs in the location would be a best place for the grazing of the elephants.
•The moyar river in the theppakdu would be usefull for bathing and refreshment for the elephants in the camp
•The open space can have a good view of the elephants behaviour for the visitors and the officers.
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2.1 LITERATURE STUDY
SANCTUARY
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PARKING
TOILET
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MUSEUM
DISPLAY AREA
DORMITORY
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KOTTOOR ELEPHANT SANCTUARY AND REHABILITATION CENTRE
INTRODUCTION
Kottur Elephant Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre located near Kappukadu in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala is an elephant sanctuary and rehabilitation centre. Started in 2006 as an elephant sanctuary, the Kerala government announced a project in 2019 to expand it as an elephant rehabilitation centre with international standards. When completed, it will become the largest rehabilitation centre for the elephants in the world.It is also the first rehabilitation centre for elephants in India, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹105 crores.The centre is spread across 176 hectares of forest and currently have 16 elephants, with a capacity to accommodate 50 elephants in future after completion.
The first phase of the project was inaugurated in February 2021 by the Chief minister of Kerala, Pinarai Vijayan. After the full completion, it is expected that Kottur will become a major tourist destination in the district with more than 3.5 lakh people, including half a lakh tourists from overseas expected to visit it every year
PROJECT DETAILS
Vision of ERC is to provide required aminities to house ,treat and nature captive ,sick,injuried,orphaned elephants including claves and aged captive ones as well as aelephants in conflit areas in natural environment with facility for free roaming and foraging. The center will also act as a place awareness, training mahouts and other stakeholders in captive elephant management, research and education
ERC should be rehabilation centre for old, injuired, orphans, of captive and free ranging elephants and elephants in conflit areas
To be an education centre for public awareness regarding conservation of nature
To conduct functional study and research on elephants of various ages to understand their behaviour, social life, breeding, feeding etc. through collabrative research with universities, instuites, hospital or centre of experties in wildlife
Overall project is divided as two phases phase 1 for the elephants and phase two for human visiting places
AREA STATEMENT
ELEPHANT COUNT
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OBJECTIVE OF ERC
• Provide near natural environment for the elephants in captivity aided with other necessary living conditions
• Provide adequate free ranging space to enable elephants to walk, bathe and forage in wilderness as well as socialize and mingle as herds/groups, under the care of mahouts / managers
• Provide state of the art in house Veterinary care and treatment to facilitate recovery of ailing elephants.
• To provide waste management and recycling facility in the Centre to get rid of elephant dung, other biodegradable and non-bio degradable wastes making the centre Zero Waste.
• To facilitate research, both veterinary and behavioural, supporting elephant management and welfare
• To establish training, skill development and management centre for mahouts and elephant keepers
• To provide facility for dissemination of information about the significance of environmental conservation and the historic role of elephants in culture and civilisation
DESCRIPTION LAYOUT PLAN OF THE ERC
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Under the new layout plan (detailed drawings separatelyincluded), prior to the entrance there would be a facility for parking vehicles provided on both sides of the road and a community hall cum interpretation centre on the left. At the gate there would be a ticket counter on the left side as part of an elaborate entrance plaza. Two separate zones at ERC :
I. AnEducation and Interpretation Zone composed of an Entrance Plaza, a Research, Training and Skill Development Centre, an Elephant Museum, an Administrative Building, a Paper Manufacturing Unit, cottages for accommodation and a cafeteria.
II. A Restricted Zone (Elephant Zone) composed of elephant enclosures, elephant feeding area, elephant veterinary clinic, orphan calf area, musth elephant holding area and all other service facilities for elephant care.
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PHYSICAL FEATURES OF KOTTUR
Topography and geology
Presently, the ERC is functioning over 56 hectares of forest land. It is proposed that an area of over 176 hectares be separately designated for the purpose of ERC.The terrain around this area is undulating with elevation ranging from 92 m to 205 m.The broad region where ERC lies in is in the tropical climatic zone. In this broad region, the dominant rock type is Precambrian metamorphic rock belonging to the Khondalite group. Charnockite is also exposed at different locations. Magnetite-quartzite is also seen in this tract. The underlying rock is principally gneiss.
Soil
The major types of soil encountered in this tract are laterite soil with presence of clay, loam, gravelly clay gravelly loam etc.
Flora and fauna
Tropical Evergreen and Mixed Deciduous Forests predominantly cover this tract
Climate
This tract experiences tropical climate where the mean summer temperature is 350 C. The winter temperature is around 160 C.
Rainfall
Annualaverage rainfall from South-West monsoon between May and July, and North-West monsoon between October and November is about 2800 mm
Seasons
Typical monsoonal type climate of this tract as is found on the western side of the Western Ghats translates to good rainfall in summers along with mild winters.
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLAN
In the proposed layout of ERC, a single centralized effluent treatment plant is proposed for the entirety of effluents generated in ERC. The effluents from Hostel and Quarters, Elephant kitchen, Cafeteria, Administration block, Museum, Training and Research Institute will be collected in a treatment plant.Major portion (70%) of effluent generated will be sullage, with least organic content. It will be subjected to treatments such as sedimentation and fine filtration. This facility will serve as the ETP(Effluent Treatment Plant) and it will be located at the lowest point of the residential area. Treated sullage is given for total reuse for non-contact applications such as floor washing, vehicle washing, gardening etc. Also it is allowed to percolate and to recharge ground water. The sewage will be treated through a process known asActivated Sludge Process (ASP). Though many otheraerobic treatment methods are available, ASP is the best for ERC because of the following reasons:
• Time-tested, established and proven technology worldwide
• Ease of operations
• No use of patented machines, equipment or consumables, thereby eliminating difficulty in long-term operations
• Limited space utilisation
• Improved aesthetics
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Total projected future water demand for the centre per day is around 4,20,000 litres. ERC is drawing water for its present needs from the North-West part of Neyyar reservoir which is adjacent to the Centre.
But in summer seasons, water level in this part of the reservoir recedes rapidly and may not be sufficient to meet the projected future demand. Hence it is proposed to make suitable arrangements to collect the rain water available in monsoon season and to make use of the same in the summer season. Water required for the dry months spanning from February to May is approximately 500 lakh litres and the same can be collected and stored this way. It is proposed to isolate the North-West portion of the reservoir by constructing earth dams in the reservoir in the neck portions and to store the monsoon flow in the same.
A rain water recharging pond will also located on the northern side of ERC. The proposed location for the pond is surrounded by raised land on three sides and a rubber plantation on the west side. A natural water course is flowing across this land in East-West direction. An excavated pond of size 125m x 125m x 4m proposed in this area will be recharged by diverting the natural water course through the same. The side slopes of the pond are proposed to be stabilized using geo textile membranes. This pond would not only provide required water storage, but would also recharge water table in the locality and would provide sufficient ground water in future
PARKING ARRANGEMENT
Sufficient parking arrangements are provided in the proposal forvisitors outside the centre. Also additional parking facilities have been provided inside the campus for the service vehicles in the proposal.
SINGLE ENCLOSURE
In the single enclosure mostly male elepahnts are left or aged elephants area left alone in the single enclosure .The dimenssions are 9 x 6x 7.3 m. A single pole of height 1.5m is provided on the either sides to tie the elephants and a water trough is provied in all enclosures
GROUP ENCLOSURE
In the group enclosure two female elepahnts and two calf are left with them The dimenssions are 23.5 x 8.5 x 7.3 m. A single pole of height 1.5m is provided on the either sides to tie the elephants and a water trough is provied in all enclosures
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RESEARCH CENTRE
Research, Training and Skill Development Centreis provided inside the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre to facilitate sharing of information, experiences and scientific knowledge to develop better skill among professionals and animal handlers.It is also intended to establish research network with various institutions and organizations. It would also impart training to mahouts as well as elephant owners in various disciplinesrelated to management and upkeep of elephants. The Centre is designed with an intent to promote research on both veterinary care and behavioural aspects of the elephant.
The following facilities are provided in the Research Centre
• Dormitory for the accommodation of trainees
• Classrooms
• Audio-visual centre
• Logistics for research activities
• Tele Conferencing
ELEPHANT MUSEUM
Concept of the museum
• Guest accommodation
• Conference hall
• Lab and equipment
• Library
The Elephant Natural History Museum shall provide a comprehensive insight into all aspects of elephants, including their role in culture, religion, history, their anatomical peculiarities, man-elephant interaction, evolution, their wild habitat etc. thereby enabling spreading of the message of environmental conservation in general and the need for elephant conservation in particular.
The Museum shall employ a combination of storyboards, actual displays and latest technologies to help visitors develop a deeper understanding about Elephants.
The display area of the museum would be 4144 square feet (385 square metres). The total area of the museum would be 15753 square feet (1464 square metres).
Design approach
The basic idea behind the design is to integrate the structure with the striking natural surroundings. The main focus is towards interpenetrating exterior and interior exhibition spaces and strong emphasis on harmony between man and nature. The spaces in the museum are being zoned in such a way, to amuse and to educate the visitors by taking them through a journey which explains and exhibits the following evidences and records on elephants:
• History
• Life style and behaviour
• Interaction with humans
• Cultural and religious significance
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ADMINISTRATION BLOCK
The location of administrative block is located in between entrance plaza and research and training centre. Single storeied administrative block comprses of officer’s room, staff room, director’s room,etc. The administrative block provides information regrading the centre and all administration of the centre been carried out from the building. Roof material is shingles and truss roofing.The floor to floor height varies from 2.7 to 4.5 m.
ENTRANCE PLAZA
The location of entrance plaza is located adjacent to the adminisration block and parking area. Single storied building consist of clock room,souvenir shopv, interpretation room, waiting area, ticket counter, locker room etc. The main purpose of the souvenir shop is to exhibit the collections of handcraft gifts, candle etc it has a floor to floor height of 3m
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VETERINARY BLOCK
The location of veterinary clinic is near to the mens hostel and mahout family quaters. Double storied veterinary clinic comprises of staff room, two rest room room, equipment storage room , surgical space, pathhology lab, doctors room, etc. The amin purpose of the building is to trest the elephants
Various facilities available at similar centres across the world were discussed and its relevance and applicability in ERC taking into account the behaviour of Indian Elephants. The inputs obtained from the team of veterinarians and the available literature on captive and wild animals were studied to design the hospital infrastructure of ERC
The proposed Elephant Veterinary hospital at ERC would be a permanent fully equipped veterinary facility with the required infrastructure and human resource.
Features of the veterinary hospital in ERC are as follows:
• Facilities for veterinarians and para-veterinarians and other staff members to stay during night hours
• Examination yard and surgical yard
• Equipment’s for chemical and physical control
• Advanced equipment’s for diagnosis and treatment
• Mobile units with facility to conduct basic treatment, basic diagnostic tests, tranquilization, physical control, sample collection and storage etc.
• Record keeping unit
• Vehicle parking area
• Kitchen for inpatients
• Laboratory
• Breeding area and calving facility
• Storage facility for feed and fodder
• Kraal
• Specialised orphan care facility
• Triage facility
• Quarantine facility
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CAFETERIA
The location of the cafeteria is near to the elephant kitchen and toilet. Single storied cafeteria comprrises of kitchen and dinning area etc. The cafeteria is located on the raised area because it is near by the neyyar dam which would prevent from flooding and also form the higger alttitude it gives a beautiful view of the neyyar dam for the visitors. it hasa celling height of 3 mt to 4.5 mt in difffernt levels
DUNG RECYCLEING UNIT
The location of the dung recycling unit is near to must enclosure. Single storied dung recycling unit comprises of pulping area, cleaning area, finishing area, dying area etc. The main purpose of the dunk recycling is to recycle the dung of elephants. It has a floor to floor height of 3m
POST-MORTEM BLOCK AND CREMATORIUM
The location of crematorium is deep inside the forest . The crematorium comprasies of post-moderm room, gas furnace room, wash area etc The roof height varies from 3 mt to 6 mt height The formal post-mortem and cremation facilities for elephants are absent in Kerala. So ERC needs to provide this facility for elephants in the Centre as well as for the elephants outside the Centre.The centre would have a dedicated and isolated post mortem unit and an adjoining cremation facility.
The features of the post mortem unit shall be the following:
• Isolated location away from all other areas of ERC with a distance of over 2 kmfrom the nearest other ERC component
• Isolation using high walls and trees
• Rail facility for moving elephant carcass inside the post mortem area to facilitate easy movement of body parts
• Crane and hoist facility
• Post-mortem area
• Testing equipment- sample collection facility/sterilization of equipment with storage facility of equipment
• Artificial daylight matching lighting
• Dedicated water tank and power supply
• Crematorium
• Low maintenance crematorium
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ORPHAN CALF’S ENCLOSURE
The orphaned calf brought to the ERC are aged between few days to 2 years. These calves require 24-hour special care since most of them are weak due to disease or injury. These calves are highly stressed because of the separation from their herd. Due to these reasons, elephant calf rearing requires special attention. They should be reared under highly hygienic conditions with care and attention of the animal keepers throughout their calf-hood. The calf rearing area will be a separate facility which provides nutritious food hygienically. During calf-hood social behaviour has to be developed which would help in group formation among unrelated calves and juveniles.
The orphan calf area would have a dedicated kitchen, facility for animal keepers to stay with the calves, storage facility for food, medicines and equipment. The area would have an examination facility for calves. The area would be under CCTV surveillance for observation and studying the behaviour of elephant calves.
Night shelter units for calves and their keepers to stay together would be provided adjacent to the orphan calf area. A dry hygienic area with soft bedding would be provided inside the housing unit for orphan calves to sleep and rest. There would be a common paddock outside, with facility to individually hold any calves if needed. But opportunities for tactile, olfactory, visual, and/or auditory interaction with other elephant calves would be maintained. The paddock would have grass as its substrate. For environmental enrichment of the orphan calf area, and to avoid stereotypic behaviour, toys like balls, small tyres, lightweight logs of different sizes and shallow ponds would be provided. There would be separate quarantine area for calves away from the orphan calf area.
HAND REARING CENTRE
The location of hand rearing centre is located at the entrance of the ERC .To isolate the calf for the elephants inside. Sinngle storied building comprises of space for mahout stay and calf elephant, kitchen, consulatation room, verandha,etc. The main purpose of the hand rearing centre is to take care of the calf elaphant . The calf is under survilance by the doctors and the mahout in the enclosure. All the medicens and the food need for the calf is stored readly in the enclose with the mahout. for palying purpose of the calf some tyers,grass rope and balls are let in the enclosure
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TYPE’S OF BUILDING IN ERC
Mahout’s Bachelor accommodation
The location of bachelor mahouts accommodation is near to the elephant kitchen and mahouts quaters. Double storied mahout bachelor accommodation comprises of twenty rooms, dinning hall, kitchen and a central courtyard etc. The main purpose of the building is to accomodate bachelors . the ground floor as a area of 2585 sq. ft of built up area and the second floor of 3635 sq.ft of area and terrace of 2585 sq.ft . the floor to floor height of the building is 3mt.
Officers Quarter’s
The location of officer’s quaters is naar to mahouts family quaters. Double storied offices quaters comparises of twelve rooms, four dinning halls, four kitchen, four living room and a sit out etc. Ground floor as a area of 2516 sq.ft and first floor has a area of 2516 sq.ft and terrace of 219 sq. ft.Span between each floor is 3mt
Staff Quarter’s Type A
The location of Staff quarter’s type A is near the mahout family quarter’s. double storied building comprises of eight modules. Floor height between each floor is 3 mt
Staff Quarter’s Type B
The location of Staff quarter’s type B is near the mahout family quarter’s. double storied building comprises of sixteen bedroom, eight kitcheen, verandha and central passage etc . Floor height between each floor is 3 mt
Mens’s Hostel
The location of Men’s hostel is near to the womens’s hostel .Single storied men’s hostel campous of fifteen doormitories, one matron’s room and two central courtyard .The main purpose of the mens hostel is to provide accommodation facility for students visiting the ERC .Height between each floor is 3mt
Womens’s Hostel
The location of Women’s hostel is at the western end of ERC .Single storied men’s hostel campous of fifteen doormitories, one matron’s room and two central courtyard .The main purpose of the mens hostel is to provide accommodation facility for students visiting the ERC .Height between each floor is 3mt
Hostel Dinning Block
The location of hostel dinning block is near to mens and womens hostel .Single storied hostel dinning block comprises of dinning , toilet, kitchen, store etc .The main purpose of the hostel dinning block is to provide food for students and staff in the mens and womens hostel .Height between each floor is
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2.3 BOOK STUDY
ELEPHANT CODE BOOK
by PRAJNA CHOWTA
Where the Elephant Code Book by Prajna Chowta differs from most of the earlier works is the handy nature of volume as well as the succinct and focused way in which it presents a large amount of information that draws upon the personal practical experience of the author and a supporting team of renowned experts. All the management information presented is put into a historical context that explains in a simple and lucid style the justifications that underpin the judgments and recommendations in the book.
The Elephant Code Book’s underlying philosophy for evolving standards for captive elephant management rests on the uncompromising belief that elephants in captivity must be kept and managed under conditions that most closely replicate the conditions that elephants would experience in the wild
The Elephant Code Book enunciates a simple yet comprehensive set of standards for the management of captive elephants that incorporates the best information from both India’s traditional methods and approaches to elephant care as well as those derived from modern, scientific, humane elephant management systems.
2.4 NET CASE STUDY
ELEPHANT HOUSE AT COPENHAGEN ZOO
INTRODUCTION
Set within a historic royal park, adjacent to the Frederiksberg Palace, Copenhagen Zoo is the largest cultural institution in Denmark, attracting over 1.2 million visitors a year. Among the Zoo’s more thvan 3,000 animals, its group of Indian elephants is perhaps its most popular attraction. Replacing a structure dating from 1914, the new Elephant House, One, seeks to restore the visual relationship between the zoo and the park and to provide these magnificent animals with a stimulating environment, with easily accessible spaces from which to enjoy them.
GLAZED
DOMES
Norman Foster’s sketch, shown in figure two, suggests two canopy structures, one larger than the other, rising out of the landscape, with the bulk of the building built into the earth.The canopy geometry relates to the internal arrangement of the elephant spaces and relates to the landscape. The domes correspond to herd and bull elephant enclosures, and relate to linked outdoor spaces. The canopy structure is arranged so that quadrilateral grid openings are created. While design studies were done by the team using many mediums, physical models were a critical method of design exploration. Physical models created by the architects and structural engineers were used to develop form concepts in new and creative ways. Some of the canopy design concepts that were developed and tested using different form-making techniques; grid shells made from wood, formfound models in metal, sculpted vacuum-form models, net structures, and bendable metal mesh were techniques used to create exciting new formal propositions.
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DESIGN
Research into the social patterns of elephants, and a desire to bring a sense of light and openness to a building type traditionally characterised as closed, provided two starting points for the design. The tendency for bull elephants in the wild to roam away from the main herd suggested a plan form organised around two separate enclosures. These enclosures are dug into the site, both to minimise the building’s impact in the landscape and to optimise its passive thermal performance. Covered with lightweight, glazed domes, these spaces maintain a strong visual connection with the sky and changing patterns of daylight. The elephants can congregate under the glazed domes, or out in the adjacent paddocks. During the winter, temperatures drop to -12C and the elephants cannot go outside for extended periods and so need as much indoor natural light as possible. There are broad, external viewing terraces, and a ramped promenade leads down into an educational space, looking into the enclosures along the way. The main herd enclosure will enable the elephants to sleep together, as they would in the wild. The floors of the enclosures are both heated and covered with a thick layer of sand to maintain the health of the elephants’ feet.
MUSEUM
‘elephant museum’, which hopes to educate visitors about the close connection between animals and the visitors. the design team, led by boonserm premthada, says that the relationship between the native kui people and the elephants is completely unique and dates back more than three centuries. ‘humans live under the same roof as elephants which are regarded as children rather than pets,’ say the architects. ‘this heritage of tradition, culture, and wisdom
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HOUSING FOR MAHOUTS AND ELEPHANTS
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
HOUSING : HATIGAON,JAIPUR, INDIA ARCHITECT : RMA ARCHITECTS (founder
Rahul Mehrotra)
Area : 88 m²
Year : 2010
A housing project for a 100 elephants and their Mahouts (caretakers), Hathigaon (or elephant village) is situated at the foothill of the Amber Palace and Fort near Jaipur. The design strategy first involved structuring the landscape that had been devastated by its use as a sand quarry by local sand suppliers, to create a series of water bodies to harvest the rain runoff, as this is the most crucial resource in the desert climate of Rajasthan. With the water resources in place, an extensive tree plantation program was carried out together with seeding the site to propagate local species - all at an extremely low cost, using local labour and craftspeople.
DESIGN
The water body was a critical component of the design, as it also facilitated the bonding between the mahout and elephant, through the process of bathing – an important ritual both for the health of the elephant as well as their bonding with their keeper. The thans (housing units) are organized in clusters and situated on portions of the site that are not used for the landscape regeneration. Courtyards and pavilions supplement the otherwise small area of 40 sqm that was allocated in the budget for this essentially low-income housing project. The site planning thus employed a system of clusters to create shared community space at different hierarchies to build a sense of community among the inhabitants.
The challenges of working through the bureaucracy in a project sponsored by the Government and executed by the equivalent to the Public Works Department were overcome by focusing on the landscape and using the precious resource of water as the central instrument around which decisions were facilitated. This was a humbling experience, as clearly the lives of the inhabitants, and what was crucial for their needs, were privileged in the budgets with the investment in architecture being minimal. The intent in the design was to leave room for the inhabitants to transform their own homes incrementally and appropriate them through visual and spatial trans formations over time.
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PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE INTRODUCTION
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 96 elephants, including 43 males and 68 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala.
The orphanage was founded to care and protect the many orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).
HISTORY
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975 for feeding and providing care and sanctuary to orphaned baby elephants that were found in the wild.The orphanage was located at the Wilpattu National Park, then shifted to the tourist complex at Bentota and then to the Dehiwala Zoo. From the Zoo it was shifted to Pinnawala village on a 25-acre (10 ha) coconut plantation adjacent to the Maha Oya River.
The primary residential care area is on the east side of Highway B199, Rambukkana Road. The main site also has some restaurants and refreshment stands, and management buildings including sleeping sheds and veterinary facilities. The elephant bathing and viewing area along the Oya River is directly opposite on the west side of the highway.
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2.5THRUST AREA
WHAT IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN ?
Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions. Used at both the building and city-scale, it is argued that this idea has health, environmental, and economic benefits for building occupants and urban environments Embracing biophilic design in our society will reconnect us with nature which is the key to solving so many of our problems, both individual and global
Principles of Biophilic design
01. Vegetation
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about biophilic design is plants. It’s certainly a very important part of it but not the only part as you will see below. There are various ways to add vegetation in urban areas. As well as having indoor plant areas, building green walls and roofs is equally important.
02. Natural Lighting
The sun powers all life on earth. Without it, there would be no life. We have done an excellent job creating artificial lights that mimic natural light but nothing can quite beat the effect and feel of the sun. Letting natural light flood into buildings and cities is an easy way to create a more natural environment. Making use of many windows will ensure more natural light entering a room. And of course, keeping blinds and curtains open for as long as possible during the day.
03. Water Features
Adding water features is often forgotten or ignored. Nevertheless, being around water has many benefits for us. Listening and looking at water has a calming effect on our minds. One of the ways to incorporate water in architecture is to simply build near lakes or oceans for examle. But that’s not the only way.
04. Natural Material
Natural materials include wood, bamboo, and straw bales. Though there are plenty more sustainable building materials to choose from.
In most cases, natural materials are renewable. On the other hand, man-made ones are finite and will therefore run out someday in the near future. This is the biggest bonus of using natural material.
But they should also not be too processed and not have any toxic chemicals in them.
Moreover, buildings with natural materials and furniture will enhance the feeling of nature because we will literally be surrounded by materials found in nature.
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05. Permeable Material
Currently, we are building cities with only impermeable material. Whereas nature mainly consists of permeable material. While using tar and concrete does have some benefits, it’s important to start using more porous material for our roads and pavements.
06. Good Ventilation
Good ventilation and fresh air are essential in sustainable architecture. In addition, airflow will ensure variability in temperature which is yet another way to create a healthier environment within our living spaces. In the outdoors, temperature, humidity, etc never stay the same. It changes throughout the day.
07. Biomorphic Shapes
It is also beneficial to add components that look like nature. In the cases where it’s impossible to include actual features of nature, using components and shapes that look like it can be just as effective.
Biomorphic shapes can include any kind of shapes or patterns found in nature. Inspiration can come from trees, leaves, mountains, seashells, fossils, and more. We could even create textures that are naturally found in nature to make them more realistic.
08. More Outdoor Space
Humans are not meant to be stuck inside all day long. Therefore it only makes sense to create more outdoor spaces for ourselves whether it is balconies, patios, or parks. This will make nature more accessible to us since nature will be on our doorstep.
It benefits our physical and mental health and allows for more rounded lives. Most outdoor spaces in cities are just concrete with some random trees distributed across them.
09. Natural Colors
Use natural, neutral, and warm colors that are found in nature to create a feeling of the outdoors. To create a ‘jungle’ in our homes and workspaces, picking the right colors is key. Different colors can spark different emotions in us. By using the right ones, we could create a calming and serene place that can help us become more productive as well as more peaceful.
Being surrounded by plain grey monotonous colors will not make us feel welcome and could create feelings of sadness and anxiety.
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3. SITE AND CONTEXTUAL STUDY
SITE SELECTION
THEPPAKADU is located in the state of Tamilnadu and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve . It lies between 110 32’ & 110 43’ N and 76 0 22’ & 76 0 45’ E at the tri-junction of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. Theppakadu is contiguous with Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary on the west, Bandipur Tiger Reserve on the north, Singara Reserved Forests in the south and Sigur Reserved Forests in the east. Spread over an area of 321 Km² with altitude of 1000 m and a rainfall gradient of 50 to 200 cm per annum from east to west has
REASON TO DEVELOPE THE CAMP
Theppakadu elephant camp dosen’t have proper facilites for the visitors , for mahouts family and also for the elephants .Theppakakdu is the one of the most popular between the near by states. There is no proper vetinary facilites for the captive elephants which are brought there. Elephants dosen’t have proper enclosure spaces for them .Visitors also don’t have proper entertiment features.Activites like elephant feeding, elephant safari, shows by elephants are done but the visitors dosen’t have proper facilities to enjoy them. For mahouts family they dont have proper eductaion and basic facility provided by the gov.
APPROACH TO SITE
Site is located at the place where three state shares their border tamil nadu, kerala and karnataka Majorly people visit from tamil nadu from ooty. Tourist from ooty mostly visit theppakadu There is no proper transport facility for the visitors and local people mostly jeeps and their own vechiles area used by people to move to other palces
Udagamandalam Railway station is at 36.9km from site
Kozhikode Railway station is at 125km from site
Yadavagiri Railway station is at 91.2km from the site
Coimbatore airport is at 122km from site
Kozhikode airport is at 111km from site
Marase airport is at 79.9km from the site
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Masinagudi is a wildlife sanctuary in Nilgiri District in India. It is a part of the Mudumalai National Park. The park is located at a distance of around 120 km from the city of Coimbatore, 29 km from the city of Ooty and 20 km from Mudumalai National Park. Varieties in Masinagudi includes bamboo trees and their varieties such as Bambusa and Dendrocalamus. Other varieties of the flora includes Indian Rosewood, turmeric, wild ginger, wild rice, Cinnamon , Guava, Pepper and mango trees.
Masinagudi has a tropical climate. When compared with winter, the summers have much more rainfall. This location is classified as Aw by Köppen and Geiger. In Masinagudi, the average annual temperature is 22°C. In a year, the rainfall is 1514 mm
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Design would help the good understanding between the humans and the animals and also which can reduce the human animals conflits which is a major issue
Centre is used to develope the livehood of the elephants which comes there for timebeing and also for the perment elephants which stays there proper facility for them with all basic need for them. Where they are allowed to spen their own time peacefully
Vetinary hospital would help to treat the elephants which are under treatment and can have their regular check up of their health.
Elephant rides shows and intrectation with the elephants would attract the tourist a lot to visite the camp.
Mahout can have a proper revenue by taking care of the elephants and government can support their family by providing education,basic needs & hospital for them.v
4.2 AREA STATEMENT
