JUNE 26: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, chaired the 21st Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant on June 26, 2025, held at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun. The high-level meeting brought together senior forest officials, scientists, and conservationists from across India to review progress and chart out a roadmap for strengthening elephant conservation efforts.
A major focus of the discussions was on the rising human-elephant conflict, a pressing challenge in elephant range states. Shri Yadav emphasized the importance of making local communities active partners in conservation efforts. He noted that community participation is essential in areas where human-wildlife conflict is acute and stressed the need to safeguard the welfare and working conditions of frontline forest staff.
The Minister also highlighted the necessity of multi-sectoral collaboration, urging coordinated efforts with agencies like Indian Railways, NHAI, Ministry of Power, and mine operators to reduce accidents and mitigate habitat disruption. He encouraged scientific institutions such as SACON, WII, IIFM, and State Forest Training Academies to collaborate on awareness and outreach programmes.
Key updates were presented during the meeting:
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Preparation of Regional Action Plans on human-elephant conflict for Southern and North-Eastern India.
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Completion of 3,452.4 km of railway surveys, identifying 77 high-risk stretches for elephant-train collisions.
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DNA profiling of 1,911 captive elephants across 22 states.
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Completion of Phase-I elephant population estimation in North-East India with 16,500 dung samples collected.
Several important reports and documents were released, including:
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A report on mitigation strategies for elephant-train collisions.
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A 23-year conflict study from Assam, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
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An advisory on safe tusk trimming for captive elephants.
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The latest edition of ‘Trumpet’, Project Elephant’s official newsletter.
The Committee also reviewed preparations for World Elephant Day, to be celebrated on August 12, 2025, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where the Gaj Gaurav Awards will be presented.
Looking ahead, the committee discussed:
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Finalization of the Nilgiri Elephant Conservation Plan by December 2025.
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A new 3-year tracking study in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
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Development of an integrated conservation strategy for Ripu-Chirang Elephant Reserve, with focus on Udalguri landscape.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to a community-based and knowledge-driven approach to wildlife conservation.
