Three-day synchronised elephant census in southern states from May 23

Sub: Environment

Sec: Species in news

Context:

An elephant census in the border areas of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh will be held from May 23 to 25.
While the elephant census is usually held for an entire forest patch once every five years, this time it will be held only in the border areas of the southern states.

Details of this census:

Objective: Understand elephant population, and conflict areas, and develop better policies for coordination and future planning.
Geographical Focus: Border areas of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Census Methodology: Block count method, Transect method, Waterhole count.

Tracking: Radio-collared elephants (wild ones only) will be tracked and assessed.
Included Regions:
- Kolar, Bannerghatta National Park, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, MM (Malai Mahadeshwara) Hills (bordering Tamil Nadu), Bandipur Tiger Reserve (bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala), Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (bordering Kerala), All three divisions of Kodagu.
Excluded Regions:
- Other forest divisions in Karnataka not bordering neighboring states.

Background and Significance

The census follows the first interstate coordination committee meeting in March 2024 at Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka.
The meeting was prompted by an incident where a radio-collared tuskless male elephant (makhana) killed a man in Wayanad, Kerala.
Outcome: Creation of the Interstate Coordination Committee Charter 2024 to enhance collaboration on human-animal conflict mitigation.
Signatories: Chief wildlife wardens and heads of forest departments from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Previous Census Data

Earlier Karnataka led the southern states’ elephant estimation in 2022-23.
Findings: Karnataka had 6,395 elephants, an increase of 346 since 2017, as reported in “Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Population Size and Structure Estimates for Karnataka-Interim Report, August 2023.”

Status of Elephants in India:

India has the largest and the most stable population of Asian elephants.
India is home to more than 60% of all wild Asian elephants.
The number of 29,964 elephants were registered in the most recent elephant census, which was conducted in 2017.
- 31 elephant reserves exist in India. Dandeli Elephant Reserve of Karnataka, Singphan Elephant Reserve of Nagaland, and Lemru Elephant Reserve of Chattishgarh have been established in the past three years by respective states.
- As a result, there is now around 76,508 sq km of elephant reserves spread throughout 14 states in India.
- As per the Elephant Census conducted in 2017, Karnataka has the highest number of elephants (6,049), followed by Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054), respectively.

About Asian Elephants:

Three subspecies of Asian elephants are found which are the Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan.
The largest terrestrial mammal on the Asian continent is the Asian elephant. They live in grasslands and forests ranging from dry to wet in 13 range countries across South and Southeast Asia.
Elephant herd sizes in Asia are far smaller than those of African savannah elephants.
The largest and oldest female elephant herd member is in charge (known as the matriarch) of the herd.
Elephants’ gestation (pregnancy) period, which can last up to 680 days (22 months), is the longest known gestational period among any mammals.
Females between the ages of 14 and 45 may give birth to calves every four years on average, increasing to five years by age 52 and six years by age 60.
Elephants have always been closely associated with humans throughout Asia, where they have evolved into significant cultural symbols.
Protection Status of Asian Elephants
- IUCN Red List: Endangered.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
- CITES: Appendix I

Source: IE