Why in the news?

  • The Union Environment Ministry and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released the findings of  Synchronous All-India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2021-25.

Synchronous All-India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2021-25

  • Aim: To estimate the population and distribution of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) across India.
  • Findings:
    • India’s total elephant population: 22,446.
    • India hosts over 60% of the global population of the endangered Asian elephant.
    • Shows a decline of nearly 18% compared to 2017 estimates (not directly comparable due to new methodology).
  • Regional Distribution:
    • Western Ghats: Home to the largest population with 11,934 elephants — more than half of India’s total.
    • North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains: 6,559 elephants.
    • Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains: 2,062 elephants.
    • Central India and Eastern Ghats: 1,891 elephants.
  • State-Wise Highlights:
    • Karnataka remains the top state with 6,013 elephants, followed by Assam (4,159), Tamil Nadu (3,136), Kerala (2,785), Uttarakhand (1,792), and Odisha (912).
    • Lowest populations are in Bihar (13) and Mizoram (16).
    • The Brahmagiri–Nilgiri–Eastern Ghats block forms the largest sub-population, encompassing the Mysuru, Nilgiri, Wayanad, Nilambur, and Coimbatore Elephant Reserves.
  • Methodological Update:
    • Adopted a methodology similar to the tiger estimation protocol (since 2006), combining direct and indirect sampling techniques.
    • Created a “new baseline” for monitoring; not directly comparable to earlier estimates.
    • Delay in release due to expanded data collection in Northeast India for better coverage.
  • Key Trends:
    • Sharp declines observed in Jharkhand (−68%) and Odisha (−54%) due to mining, deforestation, and human disturbance.
    • Significant increases in Chhattisgarh (82.6%), Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, due to migration from disturbed habitats in Jharkhand and Odisha.
    • Fragmentation of habitats and corridor disruption most severe in Central and Eastern India.
  • Conservation Challenges:
    • Habitat loss and degradation from mining, infrastructure expansion, and agriculture.
    • Linear infrastructure (roads, railways, canals, power lines) causing elephant mortality and restricting movement.
    • Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC) rising — Central India, with <10% of elephants, accounts for ~45% of elephant-related human deaths.
    • Migration stress leading to crop-raiding, property damage, and safety challenges for wildlife staff.
    • Corridor connectivity remains strong in Western Ghats, but is highly fragmented elsewhere.
  • Government Initiatives To Conserve:
    • Project Elephant (1992): Main conservation programme under MoEFCC.
    • Elephant Reserves: 33 across India to protect key habitats and corridors.
    • Gaj Yatra Campaign: Nationwide awareness and coexistence initiative.
    • National Elephant Corridor Project (NECP): Proposed for long-term habitat linkage.
    • Integration with Project Tiger: For ecosystem-level management and combined monitoring.