Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh, India, that is home to a population of Asian elephants. This sanctuary provides a safe haven for these majestic creatures amidst the southern tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests that envelop the sanctuary. The flora of the sanctuary includes a variety of species, including Albizia amara, Acacia, Lagerstroemia, Ficus, bamboo, and a regeneration of Santalum album.
In addition to elephants, the sanctuary also houses a range of animals, such as sloth bear, panther, cheetal, chowsingha, sambar, porcupine, wild boar, jungle cat, jackal, jungle fowl, starred tortoise, and slender loris.
Asian Elephant Overview
The Asian elephant, found commonly in Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, can be divided into three subspecies, namely the Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan. Majority of the Asian elephant population consists of the Indian subspecies. Threats like poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and mistreatment in captivity pose significant challenges to both African and Asian elephants. According to the IUCN Red List of threatened species, African elephants are listed as “vulnerable” while their Asian counterparts, including those in the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, are considered “endangered”.
Protection Measures and Legislation for Elephants
In India, elephants receive the highest level of protection, as they are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has accorded the status of Appendix I to elephants which enlist them as the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
Conservation Initiatives by the Indian Government
The Indian Government has initiated several projects aimed at the conservation of elephants. These include Project Elephant, a central government scheme launched in 1992. The project includes an elephant census that is conducted every five years. Other initiatives include the establishment of elephant reserves and the adoption of World Elephant Day on August 12. The day is observed to amplify efforts to conserve and protect elephants in India and improve their welfare.
One prominent campaign in this regard is ‘Gaj Yatra’, a nationwide awareness campaign to celebrate elephants and highlight the necessity of securing elephant corridors. Furthermore, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) had published a report on the right of passage in 101 elephant corridors across the country in 2017, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance and protection of these corridors.
Monitoring the Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme
Launched in 2003, the Monitoring the Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme is an international collaborative effort that tracks trends and information related to the illegal killing of elephants across Africa and Asia. It aims to monitor the effectiveness of field conservation efforts, thus contributing significantly towards protecting elephants in sanctuaries like Koundinya.
