Centre identifies 62 new elephant corridors; total now 150

A new elephant corridor report has been released by the central government that showed a 40 per cent increase in elephant corridors across 15 elephant range states in India. 

Highlights of the Report:

• The government has identified 62 new elephant corridors, marking a significant milestone in the nation's commitment to wildlife conservation.
  • This brings the total number of such corridors to 150, a remarkable increase from the 88 registered in 2010.
• The elephant population in the country is estimated to be over 30,000.
• West Bengal has the most elephant corridors — 26 — amounting to 17 per cent of the total corridors.
• The increase in the elephant corridors reflected that elephants have expanded their ranges in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra neighbouring Chhattisgarh and southern Maharashtra bordering Karnataka.
• Elephants have also seen increased presence in Madhya Pradesh found in Sanjay Tiger reserves and Bandhavgarh.
• Region-wise Data:
  • East central region contributed to 35 per cent, which is 52 corridors,
  • The North East region was second largest with 32 per cent number meaning 48 corridors in total.
  • Southern India registered 32, that is 21 per cent of the elephant corridors,
  • Northern India was lowest with 18 corridors or 12 per cent.
• Status of Corridor Use:
  • Elephant corridor report released by the central government showed a 40% increase in elephant corridors across 15 elephant range states in India.
  • 19% of corridors (29) show a decrease in use, and 10 require restoration due to impairment.
• Concerns highlighted: The decrease in corridor use is attributed to the habitat fragmentation, shrinkage and destruction.

Elephants in India:

• Elephants are keystone species as well as the Natural Heritage Animal of India.
• India has the largest number of wild Asian Elephants. The elephant population in the country is estimated to be over 30,000.
• Karnataka has the highest elephant population in India.
• Conservation Status:
  • Convention of the Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species:
    • Asian Elephant: Endangered
    • African Forest Elephant: Critically Endangered
    • African Savanna Elephant: Endangered

Government Efforts:

• Gaj Yatra: It is a nationwide campaign to protect elephants launched by Ministry of Environment and Forest.
  • The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states across the country.
  • It is a 15 months campaign led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
  • The campaign aims create awareness about elephant corridors to encourage free movement in their habitat.
• Project Elephant: The Government of India introduced Project Elephant in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the following goals:
  • To safeguard elephants, their habitat, and migration routes
  • To address problems of animal-human conflict
  • Elephant welfare in captivity