ELEPHANT CORRIDORS
Environment
World Elephant Day is celebrated on 12th August every year to spread awareness for the conservation and protection of the largest mammal on land. The day was launched in 2012 to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. They play a key role as a “Keystone Species” in the forest ecosystem.
Asian Elephants:
- There are three subspecies of Asian elephants which are the Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan.
- Global Population: Estimated 20,000 to 40,000.
- The Indian subspecies has the widest range and accounts for the majority of the remaining elephants on the continent.
- There are around 28,000 elephants in India with around 25% of them in Karnataka.
- IUCN Red List Status: Endangered.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
- CMS-Schedule I
African Elephants:
- There are two subspecies of African elephants, the Savanna (or bush) elephant, and the Forest elephant.
- Global Population: Around 4,00,000.
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable.
Project Elephant:
- Tiger faces threat of extinction, whereas the elephant faces threat of attrition.
- Project Elephant was launched in 1992.
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
Objectives:
- to assist states having populations of wild elephants and to ensure long term survival of identified viable populations of elephants in their natural habitats
- addressing man-animal conflict.
- Developing scientific and planned management measures for the conservation of elephants.
- Protecting the elephants from poachers, preventing illegal ivory trade, and other unnatural causes of death.
Elephant Corridor:
- An elephant corridor is defined as a stretch/narrow strips of forested land that connects larger habitats with elephant populations and forms a conduit for animal movement between the habitats.
- There are 88 identified elephant corridors in India.
Threats to Elephant Corridors:
- Habitat loss, mining, poaching, and conflict with humans.
Mitigation:
- Securing corridors, sensitizing communities, preventing fragmentation.
SC Judgement on Nilgiri Elephant Corridor:
- The corridor is the Sigur Plateau connecting Western and Eastern Ghats. It sustains elephants and tigers.
MIKE Programme:
- Started in 2003 to monitor illegal killing of elephants.
- India has 10 MIKE sites.
Haathi Mere Saathi:
- A campaign launched in 2011 by MoEF with WTI and E-8 nations.
Elephant Task Force:
- Formed in 2010, chaired by Mahesh Rangarajan. Produced “Gajah” report.
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Subject: Environment
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