Elephants are massive creatures with distinctive features, including long trunks and large ears, and thick, wrinkled gray skin that protects them from the sun. They are highly intelligent animals that live in close-knit family groups called herds. Their diverse diet consists of various vegetation, such as grass, leaves, and fruits. Found in habitats ranging from forests to grasslands, elephants play a vital role in shaping their ecosystems. However, their survival is threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting for their tusks, making conservation efforts crucial to ensure the long-term survival of these magnificent beings.
The actual aim and objectives of
Celebrating World Elephant Day:
Raising
awareness of problems affecting elephants, such as poaching, habitat loss,
conflict between humans and elephants, and mistreatment in captivity, is the
main goal of World Elephant Day celebrations. Roughly 70,000 African elephants
are killed annually for the ivory trade.
The goal of the day is to inspire individuals and groups to take proactive
measures in order to safeguard elephants, maintain their welfare, and protect
their natural environments.
It holds immense significance as it serves as a unifying platform for diverse groups and individuals to voice their concerns about the animal’s conservation. The event encourages collaboration among organizations and individuals to address global challenges threatening elephant populations.
About the History of World Elephant Day:
World
Elephant Day was co-founded on August 12, 2012, by Canadian conservationist
Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, which was
established by HM Queen Sirikit. Patricia Sims has since collaborated on the
event with over 100 elephant conservation organizations worldwide. The
observance's remarkable growth is a reflection of our shared desire to ensure
the animal's survival.
World Elephant Day is observed annually on August 12 to highlight the urgent
need to protect elephants. The goal of the day is to raise public awareness
about the global conservation of elephants. This annual occasion raises
awareness of the challenges these animals face and offers a platform for
promoting their conservation.
Focus of World First Elephant Day 2012
The theme for this year's World Elephant Day centers on
‘Safeguarding Elephant Habitats for a Sustainable Tomorrow.’ This focus
highlights the necessity of conserving elephant habitats to ensure the
continued existence of these creatures.
The Theme of World Elephant Day 2024
The theme for World Elephant Day 2024 focuses on “Personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance, and environmental importance.” This theme emphasizes how crucial it is to protect elephants' natural habitats in order to ensure their survival. It also highlights how important it is to address habitat conservation as a critical factor in light of the elephant population decline.
About Asian Elephants:
- Three types of subspecies of Asian Elephants are found i. e. the Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan.
- The largest terrestrial mammal on the Asian continent is the Asian elephant. They live in grasslands and forests ranging from dry to wet in 13 range countries across South and Southeast Asia.
- The largest and oldest female elephant herd member is in charge (known as the matriarch) of the herd.
- Elephants’ gestation (pregnancy) period, which can last up to 680 days (22 months), is the longest known gestational period among any mammals.
- Females between the ages of 14 and 45 may give birth toalves every four years on average, increasing to five years by age 52 and six years by age 60.
- Elephants have always been closely associated with humans throughout Asia, where they have evolved into significant cultural symbols.
Elephant population in Indian context:
The most
recent elephant census, conducted in 2017, estimated that 29,964 elephants were
living in India. Over sixty percent of Asia's wild elephant population lives in
India, according to government statistics. The entire nation, comprising 76,508
square kilometers and 14 states, is home to 31 elephant reserves.
With 6,399 elephants, Karnataka is a notable location for elephant populations.
According to Karnataka's Government data the state now has more wild elephants
than any other state in the nation, with an additional 350 jumbos added since
the 2017 census.
In contrast, Maharashtra has the lowest elephant population in India, with only
22 elephants reported in 2022. A group of 22 elephants entered Maharashtra near
Kanhargao Tola hamlet, about 25 km from the Chhattisgarh border.
The forest departments of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha have been observing them over the years. They left Odisha in 2013, stayed in various Chhattisgarh districts, and started moving out of Dhamtari in September. By October, they reached Maharashtra. A team of 30 individuals from the Forest Department is monitoring them, as per a report in The Hindu.
First Elephant Reserve in India :
Singphan Elephant Reserve, in Nagaland was the first reserved established in 2003. This reserve aims to provide a safe haven for elephants and promote conservation practices that protect and sustain elephant populations.
Elephant Census India:
As per the Elephant Census conducted in 2017, Karnataka has the highest number of elephants (6,049), followed by Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054), respectively.
Total number of registered elephants: 29,964 (elephant census, which was conducted in 2017).
Total elephant reserves exist in India: 32
Examples
- Dandeli Elephant Reserve of Karnataka,
- Singphan Elephant Reserve of Nagaland
- Lemru Elephant Reserve of Chattishgarh etc
There is now around 76,508 sq km of elephant reserves spread throughout 14 states in India.
Major Elephant Corridors according to study
2023:
There are now near about 150 corridors in India, including 62 new ones that have been identified since 2010, a 40% increase from 2010. With a total of 26, or 17% of all corridors, West Bengal has the most elephant corridors. The North East region comes in second largest with 32% (48 corridors), followed by the East Central region with 35% (52 corridors). The largest number of elephant corridors—32, or 21% of the total—were found in southern India, while the smallest number—18, or 12%—was found in northern India. The largest and most consistent Asian elephant population is found in India. Over 60% of Asian elephants living in the wild are found in India.
How to celebrate the World Elephant Day
2024:
It is going to be an excitement to celebrate the World Elephant Day 2024 on 12th August like a festival with varies activities in relation to Elephants and its community, behaviors etc. According to worldelephantday the organization stated some points regarding your help towards the Elephants. Not only that a huge nos. of the institutions, schools, colleges are going to celebrate this day with art and easy competition, film show, discussion etc. You may be celebrating this day sharing information through social medial hastagging #WorldElephantDay, #BeElephantEthical, #10DaysForElephants.
How you can Involve with World Elephant Day 2024:
- By sharing your thought for betterment of elephant world.
- Sharing messages through social media.
- Actively participate in different community level awareness programme.
- Participate in competition (easy, poster making, drawing, cultural etc).
- Donating NGOs who working with elephants.
- Visiting Wild Elephants at reserve forests.
Source of Information :
The Hindu
Newindianexpress
cnbctv18
drishtiias