According to the ministry, the initiative is part of Project Elephant, which promotes community participation and scientific approaches to address conflicts — a growing concern for conservation and public safety.
File Photo: IANS
The Environment Ministry on Monday announced that it will celebrate World Elephant Day with a workshop on human-elephant conflict in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday.
The workshop will bring together elephant range states to share challenges in human-elephant coexistence and discuss mitigation measures in place. According to the ministry, the initiative is part of Project Elephant, which promotes community participation and scientific approaches to address conflicts — a growing concern for conservation and public safety.
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The discussions come at a crucial time, with rising incidents of elephants straying into human settlements in search of food and water. The ministry stressed the need for innovative solutions and stronger cooperation among states to tackle the crisis.
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Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav will inaugurate the event, joined by Union Minister of State Kriti Vardhan Singh and Tamil Nadu Forest Minister Thiru R. S. Rajakannappan. Senior officials from the Environment Ministry, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the Ministry of Railways, and other states will attend.
Experts, policymakers, conservationists, and forest officials will share best practices — from habitat management and corridor maintenance to awareness campaigns and capacity building in high-conflict areas. The ministry said the collaborative effort aims to balance wildlife conservation with human welfare, fostering long-term coexistence between communities and elephants.
As part of a nationwide awareness programme, nearly 12 lakh schoolchildren from about 5,000 schools will join the campaign to expand public outreach and support for elephant conservation. India is home to almost 60% of the world’s wild elephants, with 33 elephant reserves and 150 identified corridors, according to the 2023 Report on Elephant Corridors in India. Elephants, declared the country’s National Heritage Animal, hold a significant place in its traditions and culture.
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