Project Elephant Celebrates 30 Years of Success

Project Elephant, an initiative launched in 1992, has achieved remarkable success over the past 30 years in its mission to protect and preserve the Asian elephant population and their natural habitats. 

The Importance of Project Elephant

Conservation of Elephant Populations and Habitats

Project Elephant was established with the primary objective of safeguarding the Asian elephant, scientifically known as Elephas maximus, and preserving their habitats across India. 

Over the course of three decades, this initiative has successfully established a network of 33 elephant reserves strategically located throughout the country. 

India’s Role as the Home of Asian Elephants

India is home to a significant proportion of the world’s Asian elephant population. With an estimated global count of 50,000-60,000 Asian elephants, India proudly harbours more than 60% of these remarkable animals. 

The country’s diverse landscapes, ranging from the central and southern Western Ghats to the northeast, eastern, and northern regions, provide suitable habitats for the Asian elephants.

Major Achievements of Project Elephant

Elephant Population Distribution

According to the 2017 Elephant Census, Karnataka leads the nation with the highest number of elephants, boasting a population of 6,049. Assam closely follows with 5,719 elephants, while Kerala safeguards 3,054 of these gentle giants. 

These statistics underline the success of Project Elephant in establishing and maintaining elephant populations across different states in India.

Augmentation of Elephant Reserves

Project Elephant has made significant progress in creating and managing elephant reserves, which are critical for the conservation of these magnificent creatures. 

These reserves serve as protected areas where elephants can roam freely, away from human disturbances. With a network of 33 well-established reserves, Project Elephant has played a vital role in securing the future of Asian elephants in India.

Measures to Protect Elephants

Addressing Human-Elephant Conflict

One of the persistent challenges faced by elephant conservation efforts is human-elephant conflict. To mitigate this issue, the government introduced the “Surakshya” National Portal, a real-time information collection and conflict management system. 

monitoring Elephant Mortality and Conservation

The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) program was initiated in South Asia in 2003 following a resolution by CITES COP. MIKE is an international collaboration aimed at tracking elephant mortality rates, trends, and causes. 

The program relies on donations, with the European Union being the largest donor since 2001 in Africa and since 2017 in Asia.

Government Initiatives for Elephant Conservation

In 2010, the Indian government took proactive measures by establishing the Elephant Task Force (ETF) under the guidance of historian Mahesh Rangarajan. 

The ETF released a comprehensive report titled “Gajah: Securing the Future of Elephants in India,” which offered valuable insights and recommendations for the preservation of elephants. 

The government’s commitment is evident through the presence of approximately 32 elephant reserves across India, dedicated to safeguarding these magnificent creatures and their habitats.

Conclusion

The Gaj Utsav celebration held at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve  in Assam marked the 30th anniversary of Project Elephant. President Droupadi Murmu’s participation in this event highlighted the government’s unwavering dedication to wildlife protection and the conservation of the Asian elephant population. 

With its relentless efforts over the past three decades, Project Elephant has significantly contributed to the augmentation of elephant populations and the preservation of their natural habitats.