India's Declining Elephant Population Report

Summary of the 'Status of Elephants in India' Report (2023)

Key Findings:

• The report published by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) on October 14 reveals a current estimate of 22,446 elephants in India, a decrease of 7,518 from the 2017 estimate of 29,964.
• This census represents the first use of a DNA-based method for estimating elephant populations, proposed as a new baseline for future research.

Historical Context:

• First census in 1929 with population estimates conducted using various methods since then, including direct total counts and methods initiated via Project Elephant in 1992.
• The Synchronous All-India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) method will be used for 2021-2025, which includes dividing regions into cells for systematic monitoring.

Methodology:

• The study divided India into 100 sq. km cells and further into 4 sq. km grids, allowing for detailed data collection (6,66,977 km surveyed).
• Three phases of the study:
  • Phase One: Data collection on mega-herbivores, habitat status, and human disturbance.
  • Phase Two: Assessment of habitat characteristics and impacts.
  • Phase Three: Spatial abundance estimation while factoring human activities and habitat characteristics.

Population Distribution:

• Western Ghats: 11,934 elephants (53.17% of India's total); Karnataka (6,013), Tamil Nadu (3,136), Kerala (2,785).
• Northeastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains: 22.22% elephants, led by Assam (4,159).
• Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains: 9.18%, with Uttarakhand having 1,792 elephants.
• Central India and Eastern Ghats: 8.42%, led by Odisha (912).

Challenges:

• Increased fragmentation of habitats due to commercial plantations, invasive species, farmland fencing, mining, and human encroachment.
• Human-elephant conflicts emerging as elephants invade areas that have been devoid of them for over 200 years, with incidents reported in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka.
• Specific conflicts result in significant loss of human life (150 deaths) and elephant casualties (170 deaths) primarily in Tamil Nadu.

Recommendations:

• Experts emphasize the necessity of community engagement and sensitization campaigns to foster coexistence between humans and elephants, particularly in regions experiencing frequent conflicts.

Constitutional and Policy References:

• While no direct constitutional articles or government policies were cited in the report, the findings underscore the significant need for wildlife protection and habitat conservation aligned with the Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) that emphasize the protection and improvement of the environment.

Future Directions:

• The findings from the DNA-based census serve as a baseline for future monitoring, which aims to enhance habitat preservation efforts and minimize human-wildlife conflict as critical aspects of wildlife conservation strategies in India.