Context:
A recent study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa found that conserving the endangered Asian elephant indirectly enhances India’s forest carbon storage by improving habitat quality and ecosystem functioning. However, the study emphasised that expanding elephant reserves alone is insufficient without habitat restoration and effective landscape management.
Explanation:
- The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is listed as Endangered (IUCN Red List) and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Elephants are regarded as ecosystem engineers because they modify habitats, disperse seeds, create forest clearings and maintain ecological balance.
- Healthy forests function as major carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) through carbon sequestration and storing it in vegetation and soil.
- Protected Areas such as Elephant Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves help conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ 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
Elephant Conservation