CHENNAI: India's second mahout village was opened at Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, on Monday.

Inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin, the village has 47 staff quarters constructed at a cost of Rs 5.4 crore to provide accommodation for mahouts and elephant caretakers. “This milestone follows the inauguration of India's first mahout village at Theppakadu in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in May. With this, Tamil Nadu has set a new benchmark in recognising the selfless service of mahouts and kavadis, who devote their lives to the care and companionship of elephants," a government release said.

The Kozhikamuthi elephant camp, one of the oldest in India, is home to mahouts from the tribal community who possess generations of traditional knowledge in elephant management. The

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