Elephant Reserves in India, State Wise List, Distribution, Importance

Elephant Reserves in India are important sanctuaries dedicated to the protection and conservation of elephants. Elephants are considered to be the most majestic and intelligent creatures of the animal kingdom. These reserves have been established to safeguard the natural habitats of elephants and ensure their survival amid the growing threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflicts and poaching. In this article, we are going to cover Elephant Reserves, their importance, structure and impact of these Elephant reserves in India. 

Elephant Reserves

Elephant Reserves are special areas created for the conservation and protection of elephants and their habitats. Their main goal is to make sure the long-term survival and well-being of the elephant population is maintained. These reserves protect the natural habitat, migration corridors and feeding ground important for elephant sustenance. They contribute to biodiversity conservation and foster coexistence between elephants and local communities. 

India’s wild elephant population is currently between 25,000 to 29,000 individuals. However, the conservation of male elephants known as tuskers is increasingly precarious with only 1,200 estimated in India. 

Distribution of Elephants in Elephant Reserves

The Elephant Reserves in India have many variations in population. The variation in estimates arise due to differences in counting methods. In 2017, states such as Manipur, Mizoram, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands reported elephant sightings for the first time. Elephants are distributed across 33 Elephant Reserves in 14 states, organized within 10 major elephant landscapes. Collectively, these reserves cover about 80,000 square kilometers, encompassing diverse forest ecosystems across India.

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Elephant Reserves List in India

At present, 33 Elephant Reserves are these spread across 14 major elephant states. These elephant reserves often overlap with Tiger Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserved Forests, all protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and relevant state laws. The Elephant Reserves in India include: 

• North Western Landscape
  • Uttarakhand: Shivalik Elephant Reserve
  • Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh Elephant Reserve
• East Central Landscape
  • West Bengal: Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve
  • Jharkhand: Singhbhum Elephant Reserve
  • Odisha: Mayurbhanj, Mahanadi, Sambalpur, Baitami, South Orissa Elephant Reserves
  • Chhattisgarh: Lemru; Badalkhol-Tamor Pingla Elephant Reserves
• Kameng Sonitpur Landscape
  • Arunachal Pradesh: Kameng Elephant Reserve
  • Assam: Sonitpur Elephant Reserve
• Eastern South Bank Landscape
  • Assam: Dihing Patkai Elephant Reserve
  • Arunachal Pradesh: South Arunachal Elephant Reserve
• Kaziranga Karbi Anglong Intanki Landscape
  • Assam: Kaziranga Karbi Anglong, Dhansiri Lungding Elephant Reserves
  • Nagaland: Intanki Elephant Reserve
• North Bengal Greater Manas Landscape
  • Assam: Chirang Ripu Elephant Reserve
  • West Bengal: Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve
• Meghalaya Landscape
  • Meghalaya: Garo Hills, Khasi Hills Elephant Reserves
• Brahmagiri Nilgiri Eastern Ghats Landscape
  • Karnataka: Mysore Elephant Reserve
  • Kerala: Wayanad, Nilambur Elephant Reserves
  • Tamil Nadu: Coimbatore, Nilgiri Elephant Reserves
  • Andhra Pradesh: Rayala Elephant Reserve
• Annamalai Nelliyampathy High Range Landscape
  • Tamil Nadu: Annamalai Elephant Reserve
  • Kerala: Anamudi Elephant Reserve
• Periyar Agasthyamalai Landscape
  • Kerala: Periyar Elephant Reserve
  • Tamil Nadu: Srivilliputhur Elephant Reserve

Elephant Reserves Importance and Conservation Efforts

Elephant Reserves in India are important due to many reasons: 

• Habitat Preservation: They maintain forests, grasslands, and water bodies vital for elephant survival.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting elephant habitats benefits numerous other species, sustaining ecosystem health.
• Migration Route Maintenance: Reserves preserve migratory routes, preventing disruptions from human activity or infrastructure.
• Genetic Diversity: Safeguarding distinct populations helps maintain genetic diversity, ensuring healthier elephants.
• Conservation of Endangered Species: Overlapping habitats with other endangered species helps protect overall biodiversity.
• Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation: Providing safe spaces reduces the likelihood of elephants entering human settlements.
• Sustainable Resource Use: Proper management ensures a balance between human needs and ecosystem conservation.
• Promotion of Ecotourism: Well-managed reserves offer eco-tourism opportunities, generating revenue for conservation efforts.

Elephant Reserves Functions

Elephant Reserves are responsible for a number of functions. These functions are: 

1. Habitat Protection: Dedicated areas safeguard forests, grasslands, and water bodies for elephant well-being.
2. Biodiversity Conservation: Conserving ecosystems benefits numerous plant and animal species.
3. Migration Route Maintenance: Reserves maintain traditional migratory paths, preventing human-induced disruptions.
4. Genetic Diversity Conservation: Protecting distinct populations sustains genetic variety within elephants.
5. Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation: Safe reserves reduce encounters with human settlements.
6. Sustainable Resource Use: Proper management balances ecological and human needs for long-term viability.

Asian Elephant Protection

Elephant Reserves are important for the conservation of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), an endangered species of iconic significance. They safeguard habitats and make sure that the overall well-being of elephants is maintained. 

• Habitat Protection: Elephant Reserves provide protection from poaching, habitat loss, and human-elephant conflicts.
• Elephant Corridors: Elephant Reserves facilitate migration and movement across states while supporting research, education, and community involvement.

Project Elephant

Project Elephant was launched in February 1992, and is a Central Government initiative aimed at the conservation and management of elephants in states with wild populations. The goal of launching Project Elephant were: 

• Protect habitats and corridors to ensure wild elephant survival.
• It covers 16 states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• Provide technical and financial support to participating states for censuses, training, and conflict mitigation.

Project Elephant Objectives:

The objectives of launching Project Elephant are: 

• Promote scientific management and anti-poaching measures.
• Prevent unnatural causes of elephant mortality.
• Restore ecological habitats and migration routes.
• Mitigate human-elephant conflicts.
• Reduce livestock grazing pressures in critical habitats.
• Support scientific research, public awareness, veterinary care, and eco-development initiatives.

MIKE Program

The MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants) Program, launched in South Asia in 2003 under CITES, provides essential data to manage and protect elephant populations effectively, analyzing poaching trends and contributing factors.

Campaign Haathi Mere Saathi

The Campaign Haathi Mere Saathi was launched on May 24, 2011, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, to raise public awareness about elephant welfare and conservation, fostering stronger bonds between humans and elephants in India.

Asian and African Elephant Differences

Elephants are the largest land mammals divided mainly into two species: Asian Elephants and African Elephants. While both Elephants share some similarities, there are also many differences between them when it comes to physical features, behaviours and habitat. 

The differences in between Asian and African Elephants are: