The 21st Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant was held at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun, chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. The meeting reviewed the progress of Project Elephant and discussed future strategies for elephant conservation in India.
Key Highlights of Meeting
| Focus Area | Details |
| Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) | A major theme; calls for mitigation in coordination with Indian Railways, NHAI, Power Ministry, and mine developers. |
| Population Estimation (NE States) | Phase-I completed; over 16,500 dung samples collected. |
| Elephant-Train Collision Mitigation | 77 high-risk railway zones identified over 3,452.4 km stretch. |
| DNA Profiling of Captive Elephants | 1,911 genetic profiles completed across 22 states. |
| Elephant Conservation Plan (ECP) | Model ECP for Nilgiri Elephant Reserve in progress; to be finalized by December 2025. |
| Reports Released | Report on elephant-train collision mitigation. Study on 23 years of HEC in Assam, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh Advisory on safe tusk trimming for captive elephants Latest Trumpet newsletter edition |
Upcoming Initiatives
- World Elephant Day (12 August 2025): To be celebrated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu; will feature the Gaj Gaurav Awards.
- Elephant Tracking Study: 3-year study to begin in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- MEE of Elephant Reserves: Supported by CAMPA funds.
- Integrated Strategy for Ripu-Chirang Reserve: Focus on Udalguri landscape, Assam.
Project Elephant
| Feature | Description |
| Launched | 1992, by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change |
| Nature | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Objectives | 1. Protection of elephants and habitats 2. Addressing human-elephant conflict 3. Welfare of captive elephants. 4. Support: Financial & technical assistance to major elephant-range states |
About Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)
| Attribute | Description |
| Status | Endangered – IUCN Red List |
| Role | Keystone species – maintain forest ecosystem balance |
| Habitat Regions | Western Ghats, Northeast, Eastern India, Northern plains, some Southern areas |
| Legal Protection | Schedule I – Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Appendix I: CITES |
- Significance: Declared Natural Heritage Animal of India
About Shivalik Elephant Reserve (Uttarakhand)
- Established in 2002 under Project Elephant
- Includes Rajaji National Park, Corbett Tiger Reserve, and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Known for high elephant density