India Focuses on Elephant Coexistence at World Elephant Day Conference
A national conference in Visakhapatnam marked World Elephant Day by calling for a shift from human-elephant conflict to coexistence. Officials highlighted conservation efforts and new initiatives aimed at protecting elephant populations and mitigating human impact.
Key takeaways
- A national conference in Visakhapatnam on World Elephant Day called for a shift from human-elephant conflict to coexistence.
- Andhra Pradesh has implemented strategies including the use of kumki elephants to reduce conflict, reporting a 70% decrease in human deaths.
- The Union Minister announced new elephant reserves in Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, along with ₹500 crore for conservation.
- Various documents, including a regional action plan for southern India, were released during the conference.
A national conference held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, coinciding with World Elephant Day, saw calls from government officials for a transition from human-elephant conflict to a state of coexistence. The event brought together forest officials, researchers, and conservationists to discuss strategies for managing interactions between human populations and elephants.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who also leads the state's Environment and Forests department, stated that Andhra Pradesh is home to an estimated 132 to 142 wild elephants. He detailed initiatives undertaken by the state, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Karnataka that provided Andhra Pradesh with four kumki elephants and led to the establishment of a training center. These kumki elephants have reportedly assisted in conflict mitigation, contributing to a significant reduction in human fatalities and crop damage.
The state has also initiated training for its own kumki elephants, with one already deployed. Mr. Kalyan described the goal of transforming human-elephant conflict into coexistence as the state’s motto. He also referenced Project HANUMAN, launched in March 2026, which has deployed response vehicles and wildlife ambulances, facilitating the rescue of over 200 wild animals. Furthermore, a nationwide campaign involving students from numerous schools has engaged young people in awareness programs and environmental activities.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh outlined national conservation efforts. These include the development of a genetic database for captive elephants, a mobile application for information dissemination, and a conflict management field manual created in collaboration with research institutions. The central government has allocated ₹500 crore for elephant conservation through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
Mr. Singh announced the approval of three new elephant reserves located in Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. He acknowledged the complexity of human-elephant conflict, noting that a five-year study by the Project Elephant Steering Committee has produced the first regional action plan specifically for southern Indian states. Several documents were released at the conference, including a regional action plan for southern India and a special journal issue commemorating 30 years of elephant conservation in India.
Sources reviewed
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