World Elephant Day: A Global Conservation Effort

On 12th August 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) observed World Elephant Day in Coimbatore, with a focus on addressing human-elephant conflict, a growing challenge in wildlife conservation.

World Elephant Day was established on 12th August 2012 by Patricia Sims of Canada and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand. Since its inception, the initiative has been supported by over 100 organisations and has gained global recognition, aiming to raise awareness about the plight of elephants worldwide and promote sustainable conservation practices.

Key Facts About Elephants

Species and Identification

There are three species of elephants:

• African Savannah Elephant

• African Forest Elephant

• Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)

African elephants have larger ears shaped like the African continent, while Asian elephants’ ears resemble the Indian subcontinent. Additionally, African elephants have two trunk fingers, whereas Asian elephants have only one.

Physical and Social Characteristics

The African Savannah Elephant is the world’s largest land animal. Elephants can live up to 65 years, with females reaching puberty around 11 and experiencing a 22-month gestation period. Under ideal conditions, elephant populations can grow at 7% annually.

Elephants live in matriarchal herds, led by the oldest and most experienced female. They communicate through sounds, body language, touch, scent, and seismic vibrations transmitted through the ground.

Tusks and Poaching Threat

Elephant tusks are enlarged incisor teeth, used for digging, stripping bark, and self-defense. Unfortunately, their tusks make them vulnerable to poaching, especially for the illegal ivory trade.

Population Decline and Conservation Urgency

Over the past century, 90% of African elephants have been lost, and Asian elephant populations have declined by at least 50%. This sharp decline is due to habitat loss, poaching, and escalating human-elephant conflict, often resulting from the disruption of traditional migration routes.

Elephant Conservation in India

India’s Elephant Heritage

India is home to over 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephants, specifically the Indian elephant subspecies (Elephas maximus indicus). As India’s National Heritage Animal, elephants play a vital ecological role as:

• Keystone species – shaping ecosystems

• Umbrella species – protecting coexisting species

• Flagship species – icons of conservation efforts

They are essential for seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation in tropical forests.

Status and Distribution

Asian elephants are mostly found in southern, northeastern, and central India. Around 28,000–30,000 elephants live in fragmented populations, making habitat connectivity and corridor conservation critically important.

Legal and Policy Framework for Protection

• IUCN Red List: Endangered

• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

• CITES: Appendix I – Prohibits international ivory trade

Project Elephant

Launched in 1992, Project Elephant is a centrally sponsored scheme under MoEF&CC. It supports 22 states/UTs in elephant conservation, focusing on:

• Protection and anti-poaching

• Habitat restoration

• Conflict mitigation

• Captive elephant welfare

From FY 2023–24, Project Elephant and Project Tiger have been merged into a single integrated scheme: Project Tiger & Elephant.

Project RE-HAB

An innovative initiative by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees) uses bee-fences (bee boxes placed along elephant paths) to deter elephants from human habitations. This eco-friendly method helps reduce both human and elephant fatalities.

Achievements in Elephant Conservation

• The wild elephant population in India increased from 27,669–27,719 (2007) to 29,964 (2017).

• India has designated 33 Elephant Reserves across 14 states, many of which overlap with Tiger Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserved Forests.

• 150 elephant corridors have been ground-validated across 15 states, ensuring safer migration routes.

• Adoption of geospatial tools like Land Use Land Cover (LULC) analysis and satellite data helps monitor habitat changes and identify threats.

• The MIKE Programme (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) under CITES guides conservation with real-time data.

• Elephant Cell at Wildlife Institute of India aids in training, research, and technical support.

Major Challenges in Elephant Conservation

Train Collisions

Between 2009 and 2024, 186 elephants died in train accidents. High-speed trains, poor visibility, and tracks cutting through elephant corridors have made this a persistent issue, especially in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Urbanisation and infrastructure projects have reduced and fragmented forests. Many of India’s identified elephant corridors are now under pressure or blocked, disrupting seasonal migration and breeding.

Human-Elephant Conflict

Shrinking habitats force elephants into agricultural areas, leading to crop damage and fatalities. Every year, 400–500 humans and over 60 elephants die in such conflicts. Climate change worsens the situation, with droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall pushing elephants into human areas.

Poaching and Illegal Trade

Despite a global ivory ban, poaching remains a threat. Male elephants with tusks are targeted, leading to imbalanced sex ratios. In parts of Northeast India, elephants are also killed for meat, skin, and tail hair.

Infrastructure Threats and Accidents

• Low-hanging power lines cause electrocution.

• Explosives intended for wild boars injure elephants.

• Open wells and trenches in rural areas lead to fatal accidents.

Limited Resources

Conservation areas like Similipal (Odisha) suffer from low staff strength, poor infrastructure, and limited surveillance, making them vulnerable to poaching and conflict.

Measures Needed for Effective Elephant Conservation

Infrastructure Mitigation

• Build ramps, overpasses, and underpasses along railway tracks

• Install Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to alert train operators

Community-Based Deterrents

• Use chili-oil fences to deter elephants from crop fields

• Set up beehive fences to prevent raids and generate local income

• Introduce banana trap crops (e.g., napier grass, bananas) along forest edges to draw elephants away from main farmlands

Habitat Connectivity

• Reconnect forest patches through land acquisition and community participation (as per Elephant Task Force 2010)

• Ensure Gram Sabha consent in relocation and land-use changes

Technological Interventions

• Deploy GPS collars to monitor elephant movements and forecast conflict hotspots

• Use remote sensing and camera traps for habitat monitoring

Capacity Building

• Train forest staff in non-lethal conflict resolution

• Improve veterinary care, surveillance, and mobility in remote areas

Public Awareness and Participation

• Expand initiatives like Gaj Yatra and Gaj Shilpi, which involve local communities and artists in awareness campaigns

• Promote eco-tourism and education to generate community-based conservation support

Conclusion

Elephants are not just India's National Heritage Animal, but also critical ecosystem engineers and conservation icons. While India has made commendable progress in protecting these majestic creatures, numerous challenges—ranging from habitat loss to poaching—persist. A multi-pronged approach involving technology, policy, community engagement, and international cooperation is essential to ensure a sustainable future for elephants and the forests they help maintain.

Two native plant species, Bombax ceiba and Lagerstroemia speciosa, have been found to be behaving like invasive species, altering the natural structure of the park’s riverine ecosystem.

About Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Location and Geography

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam, in northeast India. It lies in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River and is surrounded by three rivers:

• North: Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers

• South: Dibru River

It is one of the most biologically diverse areas in Assam and was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997 due to its ecological significance.

Climate and Vegetation

The park experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with hot and wet summers and cool, usually dry winters. Its landscape comprises a mix of:

• Moist mixed semi-evergreen forests

• Moist mixed deciduous forests

• Canebrakes (dense thickets of cane)

• Extensive grasslands

Notably, Dibru-Saikhowa contains the largest Salix (willow) swamp forest in north-eastern India, making it ecologically unique.

Flora

Dibru-Saikhowa is rich in plant diversity, including both native and now-problematic species such as:

• Bombax ceiba (Red silk cotton tree)

• Lagerstroemia speciosa (Pride of India)

• Lagerstroemia parviflora

• Dillenia indica

• Bischofia javanica

These native trees are essential components of the forest, but the latest study warns that under altered environmental conditions, even these species may outcompete others, disrupt succession cycles, and reduce plant diversity.

Fauna

The park is a biodiversity hotspot and home to a wide variety of wildlife, including:

• Mammals: Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Small Indian Civet, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, and Squirrels.

• Aquatic Species: Gangetic Dolphin (an endangered species found in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries)

• Unique Feature: Dibru-Saikhowa is the only habitat in India that supports feral (wild) horses.

• Avifauna: Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), it hosts 382+ species of birds, including:

  • Greater Adjutant Stork

  • Lesser Adjutant Stork

  • Greater Crested Grebe

  • White-winged Wood Duck

  • Black-breasted Parrotbill

Current Ecological Concern

Traditionally, invasive species are non-native organisms that spread rapidly, harming the native ecosystem. However, in Dibru-Saikhowa, Bombax ceiba and Lagerstroemia speciosa—both native species—are now altering the riverine landscape in similar ways. Possible reasons for this transformation include:

• Changes in flooding patterns

• Altered sedimentation due to upstream damming

• Climate change and temperature shifts

• Disturbed ecological succession due to anthropogenic activities

Such changes may result in the displacement of native grasses and shrubs, ultimately affecting herbivores and ground-nesting birds, which depend on these specific vegetation types for food and shelter.

Conservation Significance and Challenges

As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Dibru-Saikhowa plays a crucial role in:

• Preserving rare swamp forest ecosystems

• Acting as a natural flood buffer

• Supporting endemism and migratory species

But growing threats include:

• Vegetation imbalance due to aggressive plant species

• Encroachment and grazing

• Pollution from upstream

• Oil exploration activities (earlier controversial attempts were reported)

• Poaching and habitat degradation

• SEBI has recently proposed more flexibility in the rules around Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) and Minimum Public Offer (MPO) for companies looking to get listed. The aim is to simplify the fundraising process for issuers in India, encouraging easier access to capital markets.

What is Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS)?

• MPS is a SEBI regulatory requirement under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 and the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR).

• It requires at least 25% of a listed company’s equity shares to be held by the public (non-promoters).

• If promoters hold more than 75%, they must reduce their holding to meet this threshold.

• Promoters can do this by:

  • Placing shares with institutional investors

  • Issuing rights shares to the public, thereby diluting their stake

Objectives of MPS Rule

• Improve market liquidity

• Promote fair price discovery

• Ensure broader participation and strengthen corporate governance

Compliance Deadlines

• Newly listed companies must comply within 3 years of listing.

• Companies with a market cap over ₹1 trillion get 5 years to meet the 25% MPS.

• If public shareholding falls below 25%, companies have 12 months to restore it.

Why This Matters

• SEBI’s push to make these rules more flexible is aimed at easing capital raising while maintaining market integrity.

• It helps companies grow by making compliance more manageable.

The flash flood in Dharali village, Uttarkashi, highlights the growing threat of disasters caused by extreme weather events in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).

Factors Driving Frequent Disasters in the IHR

• Tectonic Activity and Earthquake Risk: The Himalayas are still rising due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, making the region highly seismically active. Fault lines like Dhaulagiri and Indus-Ganga absorb tectonic stress, triggering earthquakes that often cause landslides, avalanches, and flash floods (e.g., 2005 Kashmir Earthquake).

• Fragile Geology: Being young, sedimentary, and loosely consolidated mountains with steep slopes, the Himalayas are prone to landslides, especially after rain or earthquakes.

• Glacial and Snow-Related Hazards: Accelerated glacier melt due to climate change is expanding glacial lakes, which can burst as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), causing sudden downstream flooding (e.g., 2023 South Lhonak Lake GLOF in Sikkim).

• Extreme Rainfall and Cloudbursts: Orographic lift causes intense short bursts of rain or cloudbursts, leading to flash floods and landslides (e.g., 2021 events in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh).

• River Dynamics and Flash Floods: Young, fast rivers carrying heavy sediments get blocked by landslides or glacial melts, forming natural dams that can burst suddenly. Proposed upstream dams (e.g., Brahmaputra by China) raise further flood risks.

• Deforestation and Land Use Changes: Clearing forests for construction, hydropower, and tourism destabilizes slopes, increasing erosion and disaster vulnerability. Land subsidence in Joshimath (2023) and impacts of Char Dham projects exemplify this.

Key Committees & Recommendations on Disaster Management

• Mishra Committee (1976): Investigated Joshimath sinking, recommended halting new constructions in slip zones until proven stable, and advised against cutting trees or removing boulders in landslide-prone areas.

• J.C. Pant Committee (1999): Classified disasters, recommended including disaster management in the Constitution, enacting stricter laws, and establishing governance bodies (Cabinet Committee, National Council, Ministry of Disaster Management). It proposed capacity-building institutions and dedicated funding, along with fostering preparedness culture.

Disaster Risk Mitigation Measures for IHR

• Early Warning Systems: Deploy solar-powered sensors and cameras for real-time glacial lake monitoring and alerts.

• Engineering Interventions: Build check dams, spillways, drainage channels, and catchment dams to control floodwater flow despite logistical challenges.

• Sustainable Tourism: Implement tourist caps, promote eco-friendly accommodations, enforce waste and water regulations, and channel tourism revenue towards ecosystem and disaster resilience.

• Region-Specific Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Tailor EIA frameworks to Himalayan geology and climate to prevent increased disaster risks.

• Revised Building Codes: Mandate earthquake-resistant and landslide-resilient designs for hill regions.

• Climate and Disaster Resilience in Development: Integrate Sendai Framework principles and climate adaptation into infrastructure and urban planning.

• Integrated Watershed & River Basin Management: Promote afforestation, wetland revival, stream bank stabilization, restrict floodplain construction, and establish basin-level governance.

• Community Awareness and Preparedness: Educate downstream communities on cascading hazards, empower local governance (Panchayats), and encourage participatory hazard mapping and community shelters.

• Multi-agency Coordination: Foster collaboration among NDMA, NRSC, Central Water Commission, states, and scientific bodies for effective risk assessment and response.

Conclusion

Balancing development with ecological safeguards is vital to Himalayan stability. Strengthening land-use regulation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and community preparedness — supported by initiatives like the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) — can reduce disaster risks and promote safe, sustainable living in the IHR.