The Indian government has announced the identification of 62 new elephant corridors, bringing the total count to 150, a significant increase from the 88 registered in 2010. Elephant corridors are vital strips of land facilitating elephant movement between their habitats. West Bengal leads with 26 corridors, followed by the East Central region (52 corridors) and the North East (48 corridors) Southern and Northern India account for 21% and 12%, respectively. The report reveals a 40% rise in elephant corridors across 15 states, with some corridors needing restoration due to habitat destruction. Elephants’ expanding ranges in specific regions have driven this increase.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Elephant Corridors: Elephant corridors are strips of land connecting different elephant habitats, enabling safe movement for these animals. They are crucial for conservation efforts, ensuring genetic diversity and reducing human-elephant conflicts.
- Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation refers to the breaking up of a continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. It can hinder animal movement and disrupt ecosystems, often leading to reduced use of elephant corridors.
- Vidarbha Region: The Vidarbha region is located in the state of Maharashtra, India, and has witnessed an expansion of elephant ranges, resulting in an increase in elephant corridors.
- Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India and is one of the regions where elephant populations have grown, contributing to the rise in the number of identified elephant corridors.
- Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh is a state in southern India, where increased elephant sightings have contributed to the identification of new corridors.
