What is Project Elephant?
Historical Background
Key Points
9 points- 1.
Provides financial and technical support to major elephant-bearing states for the protection and management of wild elephants.
- 2.
Objectives include habitat protection and restoration, mitigation of human-elephant conflict, welfare of captive elephants, and research and monitoring.
- 3.
Supports the establishment and management of Elephant Reserves, which are identified for elephant conservation but do not have the same legal status as National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- 4.
Promotes eco-development and community participation in elephant conservation efforts.
- 5.
Focuses on anti-poaching measures and prevention of illegal trade in ivory.
- 6.
Facilitates inter-State and international cooperation for transboundary elephant populations.
- 7.
The Elephant Task Force (also known as 'Gajah' committee) in 2010 recommended declaring the elephant as a National Heritage Animal, which was subsequently done.
- 8.
The Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme is also implemented under Project Elephant.
- 9.
The 22nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant was held as per the news, indicating ongoing strategic reviews.
Visual Insights
Project Elephant: Milestones & Evolution (1992-2025)
This timeline illustrates the key developments and milestones of Project Elephant, highlighting its journey in protecting India's wild Asian elephants and their habitats.
Project Elephant has been instrumental in protecting India's wild Asian elephants, a flagship species. Its evolution reflects a growing understanding of elephant ecology, the challenges of HEC, and the need for community involvement and technological solutions. The declaration of elephant as a National Heritage Animal underscores its cultural and ecological significance.
- 1992Project Elephant launched by MoEFCC as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- 2007Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme implemented under Project Elephant
- 2010Elephant Task Force ('Gajah' committee) recommendations submitted. Elephant declared a 'National Heritage Animal'.
- 2012First All India Synchronized Elephant Census conducted
- 2017Last All India Elephant Estimation (population: 29,964)
- 2020Launch of 'Gaj Yatra' campaign to raise awareness about elephant conservation
- 2023Increased focus on technology (AI, drones) for Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) mitigation and corridor protection.
- 2024Development of regional action plans for elephant conservation in Southern and Northeastern India.
- 202522nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant reviews progress and future strategies.
Project Elephant: Key Statistics & Status (as of Dec 2025)
A dashboard summarizing the key statistics and current status of Project Elephant, highlighting its scale and focus areas.
- Launch Year
- 1992N/A
- Elephant Population (Latest Estimate)
- 29,964Stable since 2017
- Elephant Reserves in India
- 33+1 (since 2022)
- National Heritage Animal
- ElephantDeclared in 2010
A pioneering Centrally Sponsored Scheme for elephant conservation, predating many other major wildlife initiatives.
India is home to over 60% of the wild Asian elephant population. This figure is from the 2017 census, with the next census due.
These reserves are identified for elephant conservation, focusing on habitat protection and corridor management. Terai Elephant Reserve (UP) was declared 33rd in 2022.
This status recognizes the elephant's ecological, historical, and cultural significance, elevating its conservation priority.
Recent Developments
5 developmentsThe news mentions the 22nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant, reviewing progress and future strategies, including regional action plans.
Increased focus on using technology (e.g., drones, AI-based early warning systems) for Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) mitigation.
Emphasis on corridor mapping and protection to facilitate elephant movement.
Launch of the Gaj Yatra campaign to raise awareness about elephant conservation.
India's elephant population was estimated at 29,964 in 2017, with the next census due.