World Elephant Day serves as an important reminder of the essential role that elephants play in our ecosystems. Celebrated annually on August 12, this day was specifically designed to raise awareness about the numerous threats these majestic creatures face daily, such as poaching, mistreatment in captivity, and habitat loss.
The Significance of Elephants
In many cultures, elephants hold a sacred place. Additionally, they are crucial for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and promoting biodiversity. Beyond their environmental contributions, elephants are remarkably intelligent animals with the biggest brain of any land creature. Despite its importance, the elephant population has seen a sharp decline of around 50% over the past 75 years, with current estimates suggesting only 50,000 – 60,000 Asian elephants left worldwide. An overwhelming majority of these, over 60%, are found in India.
Historical Overview of World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day, initiated in 2012, was first implemented by Canadian filmmakers Michael Clark and Patricia Sims, along with the Thailand-based Elephant Reintroduction Foundation. The initiative aimed to shed light on the dire conditions of African and Asian elephants and establish a sustainable environment where animals could thrive without exploitation. This led to the inception of World Elephant Society, an organization founded by Patricia Sims in 2012, that has successfully raised global awareness about the threats facing elephants and the urgent need for their protection.
Conservation Status of Elephants
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified various species of elephants as Endangered. This classification includes the African Forest Elephant, the African Savanna Elephant, and the Asian Elephant. Furthermore, under the Convention of the Migratory species (CMS), elephants have been included in Appendix I, and under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, they are placed in Schedule I.
Elephant-Related Issues in India
India is home to the largest population of wild Asian Elephants, estimated at 29,964 as per the 2017 census by Project Elephant. This represents approximately 60% of the species’ global population. However, issues such as human-elephant conflict and habitat loss remain significant challenges. These factors have forced wild elephants closer to human settlements, triggering conflicts that result in deaths of both humans and elephants, and massive damage to crops and property.
Government Initiatives for Elephant Conservation
The Indian government has taken numerous measures to protect elephant populations. One such initiative was the launch of Project Elephant in 1991-92. Moreover, efforts have been made to estimate the wild elephant population, identify Elephant Reserves, and implement the Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme. Karnataka currently holds the highest number of elephants followed by Assam and Kerala.
Elephant Reserves in India
Elephant Reserves are a critical part of elephant conservation strategies. These areas include Protected Areas, forest regions, corridors, and private/reserve lands. As of now, Agasthiyamalai in Tamil Nadu is slated to become India’s 32nd elephant reserve.
The MIKE Programme
Initiated in South Asia in 2003, the MIKE Programme aims to provide the necessary information for elephant range States to make appropriate management and enforcement decisions. Furthermore, it seeks to build institutional capacity within the range States for the long-term management of their elephant populations.
Elephant Census and Exam Questions
The UPSC Civil Services Examination often includes questions related to elephants, testing candidates’ understanding of the species and their conservation status. For instance, in the 2020 examination, a multiple-question entry asked about elephant herd dynamics, gestation periods, breeding ages, and the Indian state with the highest elephant population.
