On the occasion of World Elephant Day 2026, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, reaffirmed India’s commitment to securing a shared future for elephants and people.
In a post on X, the Minister noted that India has 33 Elephant Reserves across 14 States and 150 scientifically validated elephant corridors. Yadav said advanced population monitoring and stronger measures are mitigating human-elephant conflict and are strengthening elephant conservation.
The Minister further stated, “When we secure the future of elephants, we secure our forests, biodiversity and ecological heritage. Let us ensure that the elephant continues to walk freely through India’s forests and landscapes for generations to come.”
Reinforcing the commitment to elephant conservation, Union MoS (EFCC) Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted the ecological significance of elephants and the need to preserve their habitats for future generations.
In a post on X, Singh stated that India is home to one of the richest and most diverse landscapes on Earth. He said that nearly 60 per cent of the world’s wild Asian elephants live in India, making them a living symbol of the country’s ecological heritage. The Minister further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s elephant reserves stand as a testament to the country’s commitment towards conservation.
He also highlighted the role of elephants as ecosystem engineers and said that as elephants roam, they disperse seeds across long distances, giving rise to new plants, and that every step of an elephant helps keep nature in balance. He called upon everyone to unite to protect and preserve these gentle giants.
-PIB
