World Elephant Day

Why is in news? Prime Minister reiterates commitment to protect the elephant on World Elephant Day

World Elephant Day, observed globally on August 12, is a significant event dedicated to raising awareness about the pressing challenges faced by elephants and advocating for their protection and conservation.

This occasion aims to promote the importance of safeguarding these magnificent creatures for future generations and to encourage actions that contribute to their welfare and survival.

This observance serves as a vital platform to highlight issues such as habitat loss, ivory poaching, human-elephant conflicts, and the urgent need for improved conservation efforts.

It’s a day to appreciate the vital role elephants play in maintaining ecosystems, as well as to support organizations and initiatives that work towards their preservation.

Significance of World Elephant Day:

World Elephant Day plays a crucial role in uniting groups and individuals worldwide to address the threats elephants encounter.

Its inclusive vision enables various organizations and people to launch campaigns under its banner, fostering collaboration across borders and ideologies.

By providing a collective global voice, this initiative empowers individuals, policymakers, legislators, and governments to develop and support conservation solutions, ensuring a secure future for elephants, animals, and their habitats.

Conservation Status:

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species:

African Forest Elephant- Critically Endangered

African Savanna Elephant- Endangered

Asian Elephant- Endangered

Convention of the Migratory species (CMS): Appendix I

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Issues Related to Elephants in India:

India has the largest number of wild Asian Elephants, estimated at 29,964 according to 2017 census by Project Elephant, i.e., about 60% of the species’ global population.

Human -Elephant conflict:

The friction between humans and elephants termed Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) which occurs mainly over space and is a major concern across the country for governments, conservationists and people living close to the wild animals.

Habitat loss:

Loss of natural habitat and fragmentation have been bringing wild elephants closer to human habitations, sparking these conflicts.

Over 500 humans are killed in encounters with elephants annually, and crops and property worth millions are also damaged.

Many elephants are also killed in retaliation due to conflict.