Posted by
Kavita Farswan
on
May 04, 2023
Elephant conservation in India is a crucial issue due to the country's long-standing cultural and religious association with these majestic animals. The elephant has been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries, and it is deeply revered in Hinduism,
Buddhism, and Jainism. However, the elephant population in India has been declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict. To address these challenges, various measures have been undertaken to protect and conserve elephant habitats and
ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures in India.
One of the most significant initiatives for elephant conservation in India is the creation of protected areas, such as
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. These areas provide a safe haven for elephants and other wildlife, allowing them to live in their natural habitat without fear of human interference. In addition, several organizations are working towards mitigating
human-elephant conflict, which is a significant threat to elephant populations in India. These efforts include the use of alternative crops, electric fencing, and relocation of problem elephants to minimize the impact of human activities on elephant habitats.
Several NGOs and organizations also work towards raising awareness and promoting conservation efforts for elephants in India. For example, the Wildlife Trust of India works towards creating awareness about the need for elephant conservation and improving
the livelihoods of people living in elephant habitats. Similarly, the Elephant Family charity aims to protect Asian elephants and their habitats by raising awareness and funding conservation projects. Overall, elephant conservation in India is a collaborative
effort that requires the participation of various stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, local communities, and individuals, to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures for generations to come.
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Posted by
Susan Sharma
on
June 16, 2020
This article has been prompted by the following post from Prachi Mehta of WRCS on linkedin.
"We are glad to inform you that we have now uploaded the digital version of the Crop Protection Book on our website. Please click on the link below so that we can send you a pdf version of the book.
https://lnkd.in/eC2HxDw
In the wake of increasing retaliatory killings of elephants, we hope that this book can provide an educated and informed options to farmers and Forest Department. We can't afford to lose any more lives - of people and elephants.
I request you to please share this link through your network so we can send the pdf to other conservation colleagues."
WRCS(Wildlife Research and Conservation Society) has been working in the field of human elephant conflict for many years. IndianwildlifeClub.com has collaborated with WRCS online over the years too. Please read about our collaboration
in the "Gajanana Campaign"at the link below.
https://indianwildlifeclub.com/ezine/view/details.aspx?aid=1186
We also made a short film on the human elephant conflict, where Shaleen Attre, a young conservationist talks about this conflict
https://youtu.be/Z08hNz-Puok
Please watch and write your comments.
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Posted by
Susan Sharma
on
February 16, 2017
Chilla-Motichur Elephant Corridor
The securement of this corridor is a major conservation milestone. It marks the culmination of a 12-year process during which the Uttarakhand Forest
Department and Government of Uttarakhand worked with WTI to build a consensus for voluntary relocation among the inhabitants of Khand Gaon III, a village based within the corridor. The villagers have now all been relocated to new homes in Lalpani, Rishikesh.
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Posted by
chinku
on
December 09, 2011
A 12 km stretch of solar-powered electric fencing has already been erected along the eastern
boundary of the Thuma Forest Reserve to avoid deadly confrontations between local farmers and marauding elephants.
However, confrontations continue south of the already established fence and the community
is appealing to urgently extend the elephant-proof fence for another 24 km.
This fence will not only save the community crop losses from elephant raids but also protect
the Thuma elephant population from angry farmers. Please
support us to finance the next stretch of fence to protect both people and elephants.
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Posted by
Ankur
on
December 27, 2010
The combined wild Elephant Population of North Bengal is about 500. The vegetative degeneration in addition to innumerable human
habitations inside the forests has rendered the existing habitats in the area redundant. Moreover, the forests have become too fragmented even to support the 300-odd elephants, thus the elephants are compelled to move through tea gardens, villages and agricultural
fields killing more than 60 persons annually. In contrast to the figures for north Bengal , only 30 to 40 deaths are caused by human-elephant conflict in southern India , even though the elephant population is more than 20 times the Wild elephant population
of North Bengal.
The locals use spears, arrows, firecrackers and even firearms to drive away the elephants. Invariably the Elephant gets injured
and unable to bear the pain goes berserk, causing even more damage. A lot of Elephants face an agonising death each year.
A recently upgraded Railway line from Siliguri to Alipurduar has added a new dimension to Human Elephant Conflict. Since the conversion
of the tracks a few years back, over 25 Elephants have been hit by trains. On the night of 23nd September’2010, seven elephants including a four year old calf died when a Guwahati bound goods train passing through dense forest knocked them down.
Four of the elephants died on spot including one female that was dragged along for 300 meters by the train, The baby elephant was outwardly without any wound; but it slumped to the ground and died later in the morning.
Please assist us in raising awareness about the issue. All suggestion and inputs are welcome.
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Posted by
Susan Sharma
on
January 12, 2007
A scientific study conducted by an Asiatic elephant expert from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, has concluded that RCC walls should be built in certain areas and elephants be relocated to the Nagarahole
National Park in some other areas. Elephants in certain other areas in Kodagu should be scared away back to the forests.
Measures such as elephant proof trenches and solar fencing had failed, the Virajpet Deputy Conservator of Forests Mr. Kalappa said. RCC wall constructions were being taken up on an experimental basis in Mysore
and Chamrajanagar, he said.
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Posted by
Susan Sharma
on
November 30, 2006
Wild Elephants of Nepal have all but vanished. It is said that the occasional herd is from the forests of Shiwaliks and the TERAI along the Himalyan foothills in U.P.
With rapid changes in landscape and increased human activities, the elephants stopped their seasonal migration around 1994 through the forests of Uttar pradesh, India to the connecting forests of Kanchanpur, Kailali and Bardia Districts of Nepal.
Recently there have been reports of a reverse migration from the Royal Bardia Park and Chitwan Forest in Nepal, bordering Bahraich ( Eastern U.P). According to a report in the Indian Express dated 26 November, 2006, a herd of 22 elephants crossed over to
make Bahraich their home.
The major single cause for elephant population going down is the loss of corridors and the above report is a welcome development for all those who want to see these giants roaming the forest and not chained to human bondage.
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