Project Elephant: Latest News, Protection, Objectives, Threats & UPSC Notes

Project Elephant is a Government of India initiative launched in 1992 to protect elephants, their habitats, and migration corridors. It also works to prevent human–empanies conflict and stop illegal hunting (poaching) for ivory. This project is implemented in various states and union territories where elephants naturally live.

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Project Elephant is essential for UPSC under Environment & Ecology, GS Paper 3, in Conservation of Biodiversity. It helps understand government schemes, wildlife protection, and human–wildlife conflict issues. Join the UPSC coaching today and boost your preparation.

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What is Project Elephant?

In 1992, the Government of India started Project Elephant to conserve elephants, their ranges and migration corridors. It is a program that prevents poaching, minimises the human elephant conflict and ensures the beautiful giants have a future generation to enjoy their existence in the wild.

Asian Elephants

The largest terrestrial mammal in Asia is the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus ), living in the forested areas of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Southeast Asia. They are essential in ensuring the diversity of forests since they distribute seeds and open corridors to other animals. Contributing to more than half of the total number of Asian elephants worldwide, conservation of such creatures in India is of great concern.

• Scientific name: Elephas maximus.
• The largest land mammal in Asia.
• Found in forested regions of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sumatra.
• India holds over 50% of the global Asian elephant population.

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Species/Subspecies of Asian Elephants

Asian elephants have three recognised subspecies: the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), found mainly in mainland Asia, the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), which is the largest and found in Sri Lanka, and the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), found in Sumatra, Indonesia, and is critically endangered. All subspecies face threats from habitat loss and poaching.

1. Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) – Found in mainland Asia, including India.
2. Sri Lankan Elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) – Largest in size, found in Sri Lanka.
3. Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) – Found in Sumatra, Indonesia, it is critically endangered.

Protection Status of Asian Elephants

The reason why Asian elephants are listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List is due to shrinking numbers. They have also been listed in Appendix I of CITES, which bans trade regarding elephants and their body parts across international borders. In Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, they have maximum legal protection in India.

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I (highest level of protection in international trade)
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I (maximum protection under Indian law)

Objectives of Project Elephant 

Project Elephant aims to protect elephants and their habitats, secure migration corridors, and reduce human–empath conflict. It prevents poaching and illegal ivory trade while ensuring better care for injured or orphaned elephants. The project also promotes research, monitoring, and training for effective conservation.

• Protect elephants and their habitats.
• Maintain and restore migration routes (corridors).
• Reduce human–elephant conflict.
• Stop poaching and the illegal ivory trade.
• Improve veterinary care and rescue of injured or orphaned elephants.
• Support research, monitoring, and training of forest staff.

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Threats to Elephants

Due to deforestation, farming, and infrastructure projects, elephants face significant habitat loss and fragmentation threats. Poaching for ivory and other body parts remains a danger. Rising human–elephant conflict, electrocution, and train collisions also contribute to declining numbers.

• Habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, and urbanisation.
• Fragmentation of migration corridors (roads, railways cutting through forests).
• Poaching for ivory, meat, and skin.
• Human–elephant conflict leading to injuries and deaths on both sides.
• Electrocution from power lines and fences.
• Train collisions occur in areas where tracks pass through elephant zones.

Measures Taken for Conservation

Conservation measures include creating Elephant Reserves, protecting and banning migration corridors, and banning the ivory trade in India. Technology like GPS collars, drones, and early warning systems helps track and protect herds. The government builds underpasses/overpasses for safe crossings and provides compensation schemes to reduce conflict with local communities. Public awareness campaigns and international cooperation further support their protection.

• Declaration of Elephant Reserves and Eco-Sensitive Zones.
• Use of GPS collars and drones for tracking.
• Construction of overpasses/underpasses for safe elephant crossings.
• Ban on the ivory trade in India.
• Public awareness campaigns.
• Compensation schemes for crop and property damage.
• Participation in international forums like the Asian Elephant Specialist Group.

Conclusion

Project Elephant is not merely a wildlife programme, but an effort to save a culturally essential and ecologically valued species. The elephants are the ecosystem engineers, replenishing the forests by scattering the leaves and clearing open spaces for other species. However, habitats are becoming smaller, humans poach them, and they do not get along with humans.

The success of elephant conservation is mainly hinged on the government, local communities and conservation organisations working together. Saving elephants also saves forests, rivers, and numerous other living creatures with whom they happen to live. In securing a healthy environment that can be guaranteed for generations to come, we are securing the freedom of the gentle giants of our forests so that they can freely roam their habitats and remain safe.

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