The Project Elephant which was launched in the year 1992 has completed 30 years in 2022. The Project Elephant working under the MoEFCC has ramped up initiatives pertaining to elephant conservation during the last few years. To commemorate the 30 years of Project Elephant, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India and the State Forest Department, Government of Assam celebrated the Gaj Utsav, 2023 at Kaziranga National Park, Assam during 07th & 8th April 2023. The programme was inaugurated by Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India.

The Gaj Utsav, 2023 celebrations begun with the cultural programme at Kohora, Kaziranga National Park on 06th April, 2023. The inaugural session of the Gaj Utsav, 2023 was held on 07th April, 2023, followed by organization of the 18th Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant and Plenary Session on “Taking the Elephant Conservation Forward in Modern India”. The Gaj Utsav, 2023 ended with a 3 technical sessions and discussion on the matters related to Elephant conservation in the country by comprising experts from the Government of India, State Forest Departments, scientists, bureaucrats, policymakers, lawmakers, NGOs, and members of civil society. All the discussions resulted into recommendations on various aspects of Elephant Conservation.

During the event, the following publications were also released by Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India:

1. Field manual for managing Human–elephant conflict (Assamese language)
2. Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of the Elephant Reserves in India
3. Necropsy and carcass disposal of Asian elephant: Recommended Operating Procedure

Every year 12^th August is celebrated as the world elephant day across the globe to reaffirm mankind’s collective pledge in conserving one of the most iconic species in the planet. In India, elephants are regarded as the National Heritage animals and are deeply ingrained in our culture.

This year, the World Elephant day was celebrated by Project Elephant Division and Elephant Cell of WII along with the Odisha Forest Department at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. During the event Shri. Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has emphasized on mainstreaming biodiversity conservation in India’s economic development to ensure ecological wellbeing and sustainability. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of World elephant day in Bhubaneswar today he said with the largest population of wild Asian elephants, India is the mainstay for long-term conservation of the species. He insisted that active participation with local communities is the key in steering elephant conservation to new heights. Shri Yadav said the Ministry is committed to reconciling human welfare and elephant conservation.

As part of the world elephant day celebrations, the Minister released the report on the Elephant Corridors of India prepared by the Project Elephant. The report is an outcome of ground-validation of all the identified elephant corridors in India in coordination with the State Forest Departments of the elephant range states. The report involves nearly two years of concerted efforts. The report comprises of details pertaining to 150 elephant corridors across India with corresponding maps. The report is intended to serve as an important reference manual for the elephant corridors of India.  The report would help the State Governments in taking appropriate measures to manage and protect these corridors for ensuring unhindered movement of elephants to avoid negative interactions with local people. Shri Yadav also released the second version of the Atlas of Elephant Reserves of India, which is intended to provide basic information on all the 33 Elephant Reserves of India.