New Delhi: On World Elephant Day today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the elephants’ cultural and historical significance in India and reiterated India’s commitment to fostering an environment favourable to them.
Taking to his X handle, the Prime Minister wrote: “World Elephant Day is an occasion to appreciate the wide range of community efforts to protect elephants. At the same time, we reaffirm our commitment to doing everything possible to ensure elephants get a conducive habitat where they can thrive.”
The prime minister again highlighted the strong cultural and historical ties that Indians have with elephants.
“For us in India, the elephant is linked to our culture and history, too. And it’s gladdening that over the last few years, their numbers have been on the rise,” he added, stressing the animal’s historical and cultural significance.
World Elephant Day, observed on August 12 every year, aims to increase public awareness of the critical need to save elephants in Asia and Africa, encourage conservation efforts, and guarantee their continued existence.
India has established multiple national parks and sanctuaries to provide conducive habitats for elephants and other animals in response to the alarming fall in the world elephant population.
K. Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, recently declared a significant increase in the state’s elephant population. The wild elephant population in Tamil Nadu has risen to 3,063 from 2,971 in 2023, a promising result of the 2024 elephant census.
The results of the three-day synchronised elephant census, a crucial tool in understanding and managing elephant populations, which was carried out in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh on May 23, 24, and 25, showed that these four South Indian states make up approximately 44% of the country’s estimated 27,000 wild elephant population.
The census, a collaborative effort, included 2,178 forest employees, comprising rangers, guards, watchers, and volunteers from wildlife non-governmental organisations. This collective action underscores the importance of public involvement in conservation.
Other states with sizable elephant populations are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh.
India’s dedication to maintaining its unique biodiversity and natural heritage is unwavering, as reflected in its continuous and resolute efforts to safeguard and conserve its elephant population.
