In News:

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has released its report titled “Status of Elephants in India”, marking a new chapter in the country’s elephant conservation efforts. The study estimates 22,446 elephants across four major landscapes — the first time a DNA-based census method has been used. Although the figure appears lower than the 2017 estimate of 29,964 elephants, experts clarify that this does not represent a population decline but a fresh scientific baseline for future monitoring.

Evolution of Elephant Population Estimation in India

India’s elephant counts have evolved significantly since the first census in 1929 in the then United Province (now Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand). Early surveys relied on direct visual counts and averaging of sightings. With the launch of Project Elephant in 1992, the estimation process became more structured, with five-yearly assessments using methods such as total count, dung count, and transect sampling.

However, since different States adopted varied techniques, results were often inconsistent and incomparable. To overcome this, synchronised elephant censuses were conducted in 2005, 2010, and 2017 using uniform methods like total count and line transect dung count, but observer bias and overcounting remained major issues.

Recognising these limitations, India adopted a new scientific framework under the Synchronous All-India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2021–25, shifting from visual to genetic sampling for more accurate and comparable results.

SAIEE 2021–25: A Scientific Overhaul

The SAIEE 2021–25 represents the most comprehensive and methodologically advanced elephant census in India. The country was divided into 100 sq. km cells, further split into 4 sq. km grids, each uniquely coded to ensure spatial accuracy. Enumerators covered over 6.6 lakh km, surveying nearly 1.9 lakh transects, and collected 21,056 dung samples for DNA extraction.

The census was carried out in three phases:

1. Field data collection on animal signs, dung, vegetation, and human disturbances.
2. Habitat and human impact assessment, including forest cover and patch size.
3. Spatial abundance modelling using habitat and human interface data.

This shift to DNA-based identification eliminates duplication errors, allowing scientists to create a uniform national baseline for long-term monitoring and conservation.

Findings: The Landscape of Elephants

The report identifies four major elephant-bearing regions in India:

• Western Ghats (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) – The strongest habitat, hosting 11,934 elephants (53%), with Karnataka alone having 6,013.
• North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains – About 22% of the national population, led by Assam with 4,159 elephants.
• Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains – Around 9%, mostly in Uttarakhand.
• Central India and Eastern Ghats – About 8%, with Odisha as a key habitat.

This highlights the Western Ghats as India’s most critical elephant stronghold, while the Northeast remains vital for transboundary populations.

Emerging Challenges: Fragmentation and Conflict

The report warns that habitat fragmentation due to commercial plantations, mining, linear infrastructure, and encroachments is severely impacting elephant movement. This has triggered increasing human-elephant conflict, as herds venture into new areas in search of food and connectivity.

In Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala — which together host the majority of India’s elephants — conflicts have led to hundreds of human and elephant fatalities. Similar patterns are emerging in Andhra Pradesh and parts of central India, where elephants have recolonised regions after nearly two centuries.

Conservation Outlook

Experts emphasise that habitat connectivity and coexistence must be central to future conservation strategies. The new DNA-based baseline offers a reliable foundation for policy interventions, habitat restoration, and conflict mitigation.

Community participation, awareness programmes, and integration of Elephant Corridors under Project Elephant are essential to ensure long-term survival of Elephas maximus in India.

Conclusion

India’s transition to a DNA-based elephant census marks a scientific milestone in wildlife monitoring. While the numbers suggest a smaller population than before, the shift represents a more precise and globally aligned approach to conservation. With over half of Asia’s elephants residing in India, the findings of the WII’s study underscore an urgent need to balance development with ecological sensitivity, ensuring that India’s national heritage animal continues to thrive in its natural habitats.