India is home to nearly 60% of the world’s wild elephant population
Coimbatore: In a significant step towards reaffirming global commitment to elephant conservation, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department is all set to host the World Elephant Day 2025 celebration on Tuesday in Coimbatore.
According to the Ministry of Environment,
India, which is home to nearly 60% of the world’s wild elephant population, plays a pivotal role in global conservation efforts.
“The country currently has 33 Elephant Reserves and 150 identified Elephant Corridors, as documented in the 2023 Report on Elephant Corridors in India” it said.
The event will be inaugurated by the Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to raise awareness about the need to protect one of Earth’s most iconic and endangered species and to bolster conservation measures ensuring their long-term survival.
The host state, Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage and is home to a significant population of wild elephants.
The Coimbatore event will serve as a crucial platform for foresters, policymakers, civil society representatives, and wildlife experts to exchange ideas on conservation strategies, human-wildlife coexistence, and conflict mitigation.
A major highlight of the celebration will be a dedicated workshop on Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), bringing together elephant range states to discuss pressing challenges and effective mitigation strategies.
With incidents of elephants entering human settlements on the rise, often in search of food and water, the workshop will address innovative and science-based solutions for peaceful coexistence.
The workshop is part of the ongoing initiatives under “Project Elephant” which promotes community participation, habitat management, and capacity building in conflict-prone regions.
During the event a nationwide awareness campaign will be launched involving approximately 12 lakh school children from over 5,000 schools across India.
“This extensive outreach reflects the government’s commitment to instilling conservation values among the younger generation and reinforcing the cultural importance of elephants in India” Ministry said.
