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Government of India had started Project Elephant in the year 1992. Explain in detail about the objectives of this project and the progress achieved.

Introduction:

“Project Elephant” is an initiative of Central Government started in the year 1992. This project aims at increasing the elephant population in India by providing natural habitat to them. Through this project, financial support is being provided for states having elephants. It can be noted that, the total elephant population in India is around 30000.

Body:

Aims of the project elephant:

There are 32 elephant reserves in India. The total area of these reserves is around 70000 sq km. Majorly there are 15 states in India where elephants can be found. Elephants have been conventionally hunted down for valuables like its tusks and skin. There are various cases reported every year due to the conflict of human and animal in the sensitive belts of elephant population.

Major activities under the project are:

1. Restoration of existing natural habitats
2. Creation of awareness
3. Providing veterinary care for elephants
4. Research related to the species
5. Moderating the human activities in sensitive areas
6. Identification & maintaining elephant corridors
7. Ecological development of concerned areas with elephant population
8. Protection against pochers

Conclusion:

Asiatic elephants have been identified as an extant specie. Conserving them is a requirement for maintaining the balance of the eco-system. Providing the natural habitat for their reproduction and growth will solve the problem. Death of the elephants can be directly linked to the loss of forest cover. Afforestation, reforestation should be practiced to increase the elephant population along with all the above mentioned activities.