Why in News?
The Synchronous All India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2021-25 reports India’s elephant population at 22,446, an 18% decline from 2017.
Description:
- Conducted by: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Implemented by: Project Elephant & Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
- Type: India’s first-ever DNA-based elephant census under Synchronous All-India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE 2021–25).
- Result: 22,446 wild elephants estimated — 18% decline from 2017 (27,312).
- Note: Figures not directly comparable with 2017 due to new methodology (genetic mark–recapture model).
Ecological & Cultural Significance:
- Elephants = Keystone species — vital for maintaining forest ecosystem health.
- Culturally revered as symbols of wisdom, strength, and prosperity.
- India hosts ~60% of global Asian elephant population — crucial to global conservation.
Habitat & Distribution:
Four major elephant landscapes:
- Western Ghats – 11,934 elephants (largest stronghold)
- North Eastern Hills & Brahmaputra floodplains – 6,559
- Shivalik Hills & Gangetic plains – 2,062
- Central India & Eastern Ghats – 1,891
Top States:
- Karnataka (6,013)
- Assam (4,159)
- Tamil Nadu (3,136)
- Kerala (2,785)
- Uttarakhand (1,792)
- Odisha (912)
Conservation & Legal Status of Elephants:
- IUCN Status: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I (ban on trade)
Conservation Initiatives:
- Project Elephant (1992): Long-term conservation & habitat management.
- Elephant Corridors Programme: 101 critical corridors identified.
- Gaj Yatra Campaign: Awareness on coexistence.
- Tech-based monitoring: Satellite mapping, M-Stripes app, camera traps.
- Upcoming: Project Elephant 2.0 – integrates genetic, spatial & ecological data.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
â—‰ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
â—‰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
â—‰ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
