MYSURU: Special covers made of elephant dung were released here on Sunday by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to commemorate World Elephants Day. The event was organised by the state forest department and department of posts. The idea to use elephant dung covers was proposed by senior superintendent of post offices, Bengaluru east division Sandesh Mahadevappa who told Deccan Chronicle, “Special covers on elephants are of immense philatelic value and are exhibition items. It’s also a wildlife conservation measure. To make the occasion memorable,we thought of using covers made of elephant dung instead of normal paper.”
Public Relations Officer, Indiapost, Bengaluru East division, Madhu Kiran said the special covers have been brought from New Delhi and are handmade. Only 2,000 special covers have been printed and as many as 1,000 of them will be available for sale to the public. Each special cover costs Rs 25.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Siddaramappa Chalakapure said the commemorative covers covey a message on elephant conservation. The receiver will come to know about World Elephant Day and also the fact that Karnataka stands number one in elephant population in the country. Head of the Forest Force Punati Sridhar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jayaram, APCCF Subhash Malkade and others were present.
