22^nd Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant

The 22^nd Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant and 28^th Meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were convened on 21^st December 2025 at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, under the chairmanship of Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant began with the confirmation of the Action Taken Report of the 21^st meeting, followed by discussions on issues raised by Members and Permanent Invitees. The Committee reviewed the status of Regional Action Plans for Elephant conservation in Southern and North-Eastern India, noting progress by elephant range states and identifying priority areas for enhanced inter-state coordination.

Key updates were presented on the All-India Synchronized Elephant Estimation, progress on the Nilgiri Elephant Reserve conservation plan, and advancements in DNA profiling of captive elephants. The Committee also undertook a comprehensive review of human-elephant conflict, mitigation measures, compensation mechanisms, and the use of technology-driven solutions, including AI-based initiatives. Additional deliberations covered the evaluation of elephant population estimation methods, integrated conservation and management initiatives for the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve.

On this occasion, two important Project Elephant publications were released:

• TRUMPET – Quarterly Journal (December 2025 issue)
• Elephant Care and Management for Elephant Handlers

Images for upload are listed below: