WHAT IS PROJECT ELEPHANT?

 

ASIAN ELEPHANTS

  • Asian elephant has three major subspecies - 
  1. Indian
  2. Sumatran
  3. Sri Lankan
  • Indian subspecies has the widest range, they accounts for most of the remaining elephants on the continent.
  • An elephant herd is led by the oldest and largest female member, she is known as the matriarch. The herd includes the daughters of the matriarch and their offspring.
  • Elephants have a gestational period of 680 days, it is the longest known pregnancy period of all mammals.
  • Global Population ; 20,000 to 40,000

AFRICAN ELEPHANTS

  • The Savanna (bush elephant ) and Forest elephant are the two subspecies of African elephant.
  • Global population : Around 4,00,000

THREATS

  • Increasing poaching
  • Loss of habitat
  • Human- elephant conflict
  • Mistreatment in captivity
  • Abuse related to elephant tourism
  • Mining
  • Corridor destruction

CONSEVATION EFFORTS

  • Creating stringent laws.
  • Establishing elephant reserves : For example Mysuru and Dandeli elephant reserves in Karnataka.
  • Removing invasive species that prevent the growth of grass for elephants to feed on.
  • Placing Barricades to reduce conflicts.
  • Measures to prevent forest fires.
  • Nation wide awareness campaign Gaj Yatra for securing elephant corridors.
  • MIKE ; Monitoring the legal Killing of Elephants, international collaboration.

PROJECT ELEPHNAT

  • Centrally sponsored scheme.
  • Launched in February 1992.
  • Aims to protect elephants and their habitats and corridors.
  • Financial and technical support is provided by The Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change to major elephant range states.
  • Madras High court on the Nilgiris elephant corridor Affirmed the right of passage of animals and the closure of resorts in the area..
  • Recently the SC also upheld the same.

ELEPHANT RESRVES IN INDIA




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