Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 12 August 2025 — India marked World Elephant Day 2025 with a national celebration in Coimbatore, reaffirming its status as a global leader in elephant conservation, home to nearly 60% of the world’s wild elephant population. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, who underscored that elephant protection is both an ecological responsibility and a cultural obligation.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is pioneering a sustainable future for elephants by merging AI, remote sensing, and geospatial mapping with traditional knowledge to conserve habitats and address human-elephant conflict,” the Minister said, emphasising a science-based, participatory approach with strong community involvement.
India’s Legacy and Strength in Elephant Conservation
Highlighting that India has 33 Elephant Reserves and 150 scientifically identified corridors, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh said the nation’s conservation model integrates legal protection, advanced habitat planning, and deep-rooted cultural reverence. Elephants, honoured as the National Heritage Animal, hold significant spiritual value—from depictions in ancient Bhimbetka rock art to their central role in temple rituals and their revered association with Lord Ganesha.
The Minister added that Tamil Nadu, with its rich biodiversity and large elephant population, plays a pivotal role in addressing human-elephant conflict (HEC) and safeguarding habitat continuity.
Honouring Conservation Champions – Gaj Gaurav Awards
An important moment of the celebration was the presentation of the Gaj Gaurav Awards, recognising forest frontline staff, mahouts, and elephant caregivers for their outstanding contributions:
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Arunachal Pradesh – Shri Ganesh Tamang (Mahout), Shri Sumit Gogoi (Elephant Attendant)
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Madhya Pradesh – Shri Kesu Singh Walke (Assistant Mahout), Shri Sahadan Ram Lakada (Assistant Mahout)
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Tamil Nadu – Shri M. Murali (Anti-Poaching Watcher), Shri S. Karthikeyan (Forest Guard)
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Uttar Pradesh – Shri Irshad Ali (Mahout)
These awards celebrate the dedication and courage of individuals who work on the frontline of elephant conservation and management.
New Resource for Elephant Welfare – Foot Care Guide
On the occasion, the document “Healthy Feet, Healthy Elephants: A Guide to Foot Care in Captive Asian Elephants” was released, offering practical recommendations on hygiene, preventive care, early detection of ailments, and capacity building for mahouts and elephant keepers.
Massive Nationwide Outreach & Education Drive
A nationwide awareness campaign was launched engaging 12 lakh students from nearly 5,000 schools to spread awareness on elephant conservation and the need for harmonious human-wildlife coexistence.
In tandem, a Workshop on Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation brought together officials from elephant range states to share experiences, discuss habitat management, corridor preservation, technology-aided conflict mitigation, and community engagement — all under the framework of Project Elephant.
Conclusion: A Pledge Towards Coexistence and Conservation
The World Elephant Day 2025 celebrations in Coimbatore embodied the vision of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, uniting policymakers, conservation experts, frontline protectors, communities, and students in a reaffirmation of India’s pledge to protect its elephants.
By combining tradition with technology and local action with global ambition, India is ensuring that its National Heritage Animal continues to roam freely for generations to come, strengthening its role as a beacon of global conservation leadership.
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Source: PIB
