Andhra Pradesh launched Project HANUMAN on 3 March 2026 to tackle rising human-wildlife conflict. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Forest and Environment portfolio, launched it at Mangalagiri. The name stands for Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife. Notably, the project covers rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and conflict prevention. Hence, it shifts the state from reactive response to planned, prevention-based action.
Launch at Mangalagiri
Pawan Kalyan flagged off over 100 specially equipped vehicles at the APSP 6th Battalion Parade Grounds. These include 93 Rapid Response and Rescue vehicles and 7 wildlife ambulances. Also, the state set up 19 dedicated rapid response teams in vulnerable zones. He described the project as a “scientific and structured mechanism” to reduce friction between people and wildlife.
Rescue Teams, Ambulances and Treatment Centres
Each rescue vehicle carries a Forest Range Officer, veterinary staff and trained tribal helpers. Meanwhile, wildlife ambulances give on-site care and safe transport to injured animals. Moreover, the plan includes rescue and treatment centres at Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Bhairluti. In addition, village “Vajra” volunteer teams will handle snake rescues.
AI Alerts and Higher Compensation
Further, an AI-based pilot uses GPS tracking and an app to follow animal movement near forest borders. So, villages can get early warnings before animals enter. The state also raised ex-gratia for deaths in wildlife attacks from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Similarly, it fixed injury compensation at Rs 2 lakh. Notably, Andhra Pradesh recorded 2,107 conflict cases in 2025-26 and paid nearly Rs 4 crore as compensation.
Elephant Conflict and Kumki Elephants
Elephant conflict remains acute in Chittoor, Srikakulam and Parvathipuram. Therefore, the state deployed four trained kumki elephants in coordination with Karnataka. Officials reported eight successful operations to steer herds away. Kumkis are trained captive elephants that guide wild herds.
Project HANUMAN: Key Facts for Revision
- Full form: Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife
- State: Andhra Pradesh
- Launched: 3 March 2026 at Mangalagiri by Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan
- Vehicles: 93 rescue vehicles and 7 wildlife ambulances
- Treatment centres: Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Bhairluti
- Compensation: Rs 10 lakh for death, Rs 2 lakh for injury
- Community teams: Village-level “Vajra” (Wildlife Rakshak) volunteers
Why Project HANUMAN Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, human-wildlife conflict is a recurring theme in GS-III and in Uttarakhand, where leopards and elephants often enter villages. So, remember the full form, the launching state and the compensation figures. Also, link the project with kumki elephants and rapid response teams. For official updates, also visit the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. Next, for a related story, read about Wildlife Week 2026 in Uttarakhand.
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