Backgrounder

Project Elephant (PE), a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in February 1992 to provide financial and technical support to major elephant bearing States in the country for protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors. It also seeks to address the issues of human-elephant conflict and welfare of domesticated elephants. The Project is being implemented in 13 States / UTs , viz. Andhra pradesh , Arunachal Pradesh , Assam , Jharkhand , Karnataka , Kerala , Meghalaya , Nagaland , Orissa , Tamil Nadu , Uttranchal , Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Based on the proposals received in the form of Annual Plan of Operations, Government of India provides financial and technical assistance to State/UT Governments for wildlife protection under the various Centrally Sponsored Schemes – Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries, Project Tiger and Project Elephant. These funds are released after scrutiny of the proposals and also subject to the availability of funds and fulfillment of procedural requirements. The State-wise details of funds which have been released under this project  are given below:

 (Rs in Lakhs)

* The sum indicates the funds released till August 2007

** This includes Rs. 40.56 (lakhs) released to Maharashtra

There are only 17 states in which elephants exist in the wild state. Project Elephant has declared 24 elephant reserves in 12 states to protect elephant populations in the wild and develop their habitat. It was launched in the year 1991-92 as a sequel to a series of efforts to conserve this magnificent species covering primarily twelve states of India, namely Assam, Arunachal Prdesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Main activities

Various activities are being carried out under this project. Existing natural habitats and migratory routes of elephants are restored ecologically. Scientific and planned management is being developed for conservation of elephant habitats and viable population of Wild Asiatic elephants in India to reduce man-elephant conflict in crucial habitats. Promotional measures have been applied. Domestic stock activities in crucial elephant habitats have been stopped. Wild elephants are given protection against poachers and also against unnatural cause of deaths. Research on Elephant management related issues; Public education and awareness programmes and Eco-development are other measures under implementation.

CENSUS IN ELEPHANT RESERVES IN INDIA (2005)

First time an exclusive exercise for enumeration of wild elephants in the ERs was done during Feb-May 2005. This exercise also sought to experiment with two sampling methods, viz. Block Sampling; and Line Transact-Dung Count (with Retrospective Method of Calculating Dung Decay Rate). PE arranged Training of Trainers and also issued detailed guidelines to the Chief Wild Life Wardens (CWLWs) and the Field Coordinators. Elephant Reserves (ERs) specific enumeration will be repeated in 2010.

MONITORING OF ILLEGAL KILLING OF ELEPHANTS (MIKE) SITES:

Project Elephant has been formally implementing MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants) programme of CITES in 10 ERs since 01.04.2004. These include Shiwalik (Uttaranchal); Eastern Dooars (West Bengal); Mayurbhanj (Orissa); Ripu-Chirang and Dehing-Patkai (Assam); Garo Hills (Meghalaya); Deomali (Arunchal Pradesh); Wayanad (Kerala), Mysore (Karnataka) and Nilgiri (Tamilnadu).

RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY AND TRAINING  PROJECTS:

• PE has initiated a 36-months research project (2003-04 to 2006-07) with the help of the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack, for developing high yielding varieties of paddy not relished by elephants; developing elephant-proof storage bins for food grains; and developing elephant repellants. The project is being carried out at the CRRI's research stations in Orissa and Assam.
• PE has also completed two projects each of 36 months duration (2003-04 to 2006-07) with the help of the Assam Agricultural University on 'Disease Management in Captive Elephants' and 'Anatomical Studies on the Asian Elephant'.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) studied the impact of the relocation of the Gujjar on the flora and fauna of Rajaji National Park during  (2004-05 to 2005-06) in a small project assigned by PE.
• The Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata completed a small consultancy project to help the West Bengal Forest Department in carrying out a sample-based enumeration of elephants during 2005 which was assigned by PE.
• PE has been organizing regular refresher courses for veterinarians dealing with wild and domesticated elephants at Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur and Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati.

MICROCHIPS

o                    PE has initiated a progamme for registration of domesticated elephants by using microchips. More than 1000 elephants have been microchipped so far in Assam, Arunchal Pradesh, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar and Delhi etc. PE has organized necessary training for this purpose and also arranged for supply of standard microchips and readers to all the States known to possess domesticated elephants.

KP/rm