Elephant corridors are narrow strips of natural habitat that connect two or more larger elephant habitats.

Importance of Elephant Corridors

  • Maintain habitat connectivity and prevent isolation of elephant populations.
  • Facilitate gene flow, helping maintain genetic diversity.
  • Provide access to seasonal food and water resources.
  • Reduce pressure caused by fragmented habitats.
  • Properly protected corridors can help reduce human–elephant conflict.

Key Elephant Corridors in India

  • Southern India
    • Nilambur–Appankappu Corridor: Kerala.
    • Nilambur Kovilakam–New Amarambalam: Kerala–Tamil Nadu.
    • Chamarajanagar–Talamalai Corridor (connects Biligiriranga Hills with Sathyamangalam): Karnataka–Tamil Nadu
    • Edeyarahalli–Doddasampige Corridor (connects BRT Tiger Reserve with Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary): Karnataka.
    • Sigur Plateau Corridor(connects elephant habitats in the Nilgiris): Tamil Nadu
  • Northeast India
    • Panbari Corridor: Assam
    • Haldhibari Corridor: Assam
    • Kanchanjuri Corridor: Assam
    • D’ering–Dibru-Saikhowa Corridor: Assam–Arunachal Pradesh
    • Rewak–Emangre Corridor: Meghalaya
    • Nokrek–Emangre Corridor: Meghalaya
    • Geleki–Sitap Corridor: Nagaland.
  • East-Central and Northern India
    • Dalma–Chandil Corridor: Jharkhand
    • Karo–Karampada Corridor: Odisha
    • Telkoi–Pallahada Corridor: Odisha
    • Rawasan–Sonanadi Corridor: Uttarakhand–Uttar Pradesh
    • Motichur–Gohri Corridor: Uttarakhand
    • Chilkiya–Kota Corridor: Uttarakhand.
Key Facts of Asian Elephants

  • Endangered on the IUCN Red List 
  • Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

 

Source: The Hindu