World Elephant Day was celebrated across the world on August 12, 2018. In India the main event was organised at Indira Gandhi Centre for National Arts in New Delhi, which was inaugurated by Mr. Suresh Prabhu.
- In a brief address, brand ambassador of Wildlife Trust of India, Ms. Dia Mirza said that the only way to involve more and more people in conservation efforts is to build a narrative of engagement.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with Wildlife Trust of India, kicked off the celebrations of ‘Gaj Mahotsav’ on August 12. The four-day ‘Gaj Mahotsav’ (12-15 August) celebrations will continue till August 15, 2018.
- ‘Gaj Mahotsav’ celebrations, include sessions on policy, art exhibitions, film shows, music and entertainment. A special area has been earmarked on the IGNCA lawns for the display and sale of elephant-themed products and produce from various NGOs that have been invited to showcase their work. The 101 elephants displayed at IGNCA during Gaj Mahotsav symbolize the 101 elephant corridors that need to be protected.
- Best Elephant Warrior Award: Mr. Suresh Prabhu conferred the “Best Elephant Warrior Award” to Late Dr. Manikandan. The award was received by Mrs. Sangeeta Manikandan.
- The award for making a significant contribution to the cause of conservation of Asian elephant was given to Mr. John Burton & Ms. Vivien Burton. The efforts of Assam government in putting back 15 elephants into the wild were also acknowledged on the occasion.
- “Mere Desh Ki Zameen” – the “Wild Anthem” (see attached video link) composed by noted lyricist, Mr. Prasoon Joshi and sung by well-known singers, Ms. Shreya Ghoshal, Ms. Sunidhi Chauhan, Mr. Vishal Dadlani and Mr. Benny Dayal was also released on the occasion.
World Elephant Day
- World Elephant Day was co-founded on August 12, 2012, by Canadian Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, an initiative of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
- The objective behind celebrating the World Elephant Day every year is to focus attention of various stakeholders to support various conservation policies to help elephants, including improving enforcement policies to prevent the illegal poaching and trade of ivory, conserving elephant habitats, providing better treatment for captive elephants and reintroducing some captive elephants into sanctuaries.
Current population estimates
- Current population estimates for Asian elephants in the country, as per 2017 Census, are about 30,000. Asian elephants are confined to South Asia and South East Asia and about 60 per cent of global population of Asian elephants is found in India. As an acknowledgement of the important role played by the elephants in the social, religious and cultural life of people in India, elephants were declared as a National Heritage Animal in the year 2010.
Project Elephant
- In order to conserve the Asian Elephants the Project Elephant started in 1992, with the objectives of (i) conservation and protection of viable population of wild elephants in their natural habitats in the country; (ii) restoration of natural habitats and traditional corridors/migratory routes or movement paths used by the elephants, wherever necessary, through eco-restoration, acquisition etc; (iii) ensuring safeguards against poaching and other threats; (iv) mitigation and control of human elephant conflicts; (v) welfare and management of captive elephants; and (vi) creating a viable mechanism to ensure inter-state and regional and national level coordination in protecting and conserving the elephant and its ranges.
