- Elephant maximus inhabits the central and southern Western Ghats, northeast India, eastern India, and northern India, as well as certain areas in southern peninsular India.
- This species is categorized in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
- Its presence spans 16 out of the country’s 28 states, and its prevalence is increasing across its distributional range.
- The population estimates indicate that in 2007, there were between 27,657 and 27,682 elephants, in 2012 between 27,785 and 31,368, and the most recent count in 2017 reported a total of 29,964 elephants in India.
PROJECT ELEPHANT
- Launched in February 1992, Project Elephant is a federally funded initiative designed to support states with freely roaming populations of wild elephants.
- Its primary objective is to ensure the enduring survival of identified viable elephant populations within their natural habitats.
- The project is actively underway in states and union territories such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Key points regarding Project Elephant include:
- Financial and Technical Assistance:
- States engaged in the project receive both financial and technical assistance, aiding them in accomplishing the project’s conservation objectives.
- Focus on States with Smaller Elephant Populations:
- States with smaller elephant populations are not neglected; they receive support through activities like censuses, training for field staff, and initiatives for mitigating human-elephant conflicts.
- Conservation Emphasis:
- The project places a primary focus on the long-term conservation of wild elephant populations, with an emphasis on safeguarding their natural habitats.
- IUCN Red List Designation:
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List designates Asian elephants, the main concern of Project Elephant, as “Endangered,” underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.
- Global Significance of Indian Elephant Population:
- Current population estimates suggest that there are approximately 50,000-60,000 Asian elephants worldwide.
India, hosting over 60% of the world’s elephant population, holds a critical role in the global conservation of this endangered species.
OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT ELEPHANT
- Restoring Ecological Balance:
- The primary aim is to restore the natural habitats and migratory routes of elephants, ensuring ecological balance in their environments.
- Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation:
- Addressing the escalating conflicts between humans and elephants in crucial habitats, while also alleviating the impacts of human and domestic stock activities in these critical elephant zones.
- Scientific Management for Conservation:
- Developing well-planned and scientific management measures to conserve elephant populations and their habitats.
- Protection from Threats:
- Ensuring the protection of elephants from threats such as poaching and unnatural causes of death, with a particular focus on preventing illegal ivory trade.
- Research and Awareness:
- Conducting research on elephant-related issues and implementing public awareness and education programs to enhance understanding and support for elephant conservation.
- Eco-Development and Veterinary Care:
- Undertaking initiatives for elephant eco-development and providing veterinary care to ensure the well-being of the elephant populations.
- Health Care and Breeding of Domesticated Elephants:
- Aimed at maintaining the health and promoting the breeding of domesticated elephants, ensuring their welfare within the broader conservation framework.
ELEPHANT CORRIDOR
- An elephant corridor refers to a stretch of forested or other land that connects larger habitats housing elephant populations, facilitating the movement of animals between these habitats.
- This movement is vital for species survival and reproduction. In India, a total of 88 elephant corridors have been identified, with 20 in south India, 12 in northwestern India, 20 in central India, 14 in northern West Bengal, and 22 in northeastern India.
- Of these, elephants regularly use 77.3 percent, with one-third considered of high ecological priority and the remaining two-thirds of medium priority.
- Severe habitat fragmentation is observed in northern West Bengal, followed by northwestern India, northeastern India, and central India, while South India experiences the least amount of fragmentation.
- Sixty-five percent of the corridors in South India are located within protected areas or reserved forests, while only 24% of corridors in the country have complete forest cover.
THREATS TO ELEPHANT CORRIDOR
- Nearly 40% of elephant reserves are vulnerable as they are not situated within protected parks or sanctuaries, and the migration corridors lack legal protection.
- The primary threats include habitat loss due to fragmentation caused by development activities such as construction, roads, railways, vacation resorts, and solar-powered electric fencing.
- Coal and iron ore mining pose significant threats to elephant corridors in central India, particularly in mineral-rich states like Orissa, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, known for conflicts between elephants and humans.
- Serious poaching problems arise due to the high value of elephant ivory.
- Limited grazing areas in reserves often lead elephants to seek food elsewhere, resulting in conflicts with humans over raided or destroyed crops.
- In 2017, only 22% of corridors had a width of one to three kilometers, compared to 41% in 2005, indicating increased constraints. Human encroachment affects 21.8% of corridors in 2017, slightly less than 22.8% in 2005. Railway lines traverse 36.4% of elephant corridors in northwestern India, 32% in central India, 35.7% in northern West Bengal, and 13% in northeastern India.
- National or State Highways cross almost two-thirds of the corridors, and canals impact 11%.
- Agricultural activities now affect two out of every three elephant corridors in the country.
- The unregulated nature of ecotourism negatively impacts critical habitats, particularly those of animals with large home ranges like elephants.
FAQs – CONSERVATION OF ELEPHANT, PROJECT ELEPHANT, AND ELEPHANT CORRIDOR
1-Where do Asiatic elephants inhabit in India?
A: Elephas maximus is found in the central and southern Western Ghats, northeast India, eastern India, and northern India, as well as specific areas in southern peninsular India.
2-How are Asiatic elephants protected by law?
A: Asiatic elephants are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (Schedule I) and listed in Appendix I of CITES.
3-What is the current population of elephants in India?
A: As of 2017, India had approximately 29,964 elephants, making it home to over 60% of the world’s Asian elephant population.
4-When was Project Elephant launched, and what is its primary objective?
A: Project Elephant was launched in February 1992. Its primary objective is to ensure the enduring survival of identified viable elephant populations within their natural habitats.
5-Which states and union territories are actively engaged in Project Elephant?
A: States and union territories such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are actively involved.
6-What financial and technical support do states receive under Project Elephant?
A: States receive both financial and technical assistance to accomplish conservation objectives, including censuses, training, and initiatives to mitigate human-elephant conflicts.
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