World Elephant Day:
On 12th August, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) celebrated World Elephant Day in Coimbatore, focusing on human-elephant conflict.
- Patricia Sims of Canada and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, jointly established World Elephant Day on 12th August 2012.
- Since then Patricia Sims continues to lead the initiative.
- The initiative, partnered with over 100 organisations, aims to raise global awareness on elephant conservation, with millions showing support each year through World Elephant Day.
- Status of Asian Elephants in India:
- The Asian elephant, India’s largest terrestrial mammal, is found mainly in the south, northeast, and central regions.
- About 28,000–30,000 live in fragmented populations across four regions, making habitat and corridor conservation crucial.
- Protection Status of Asian Elephants: IUCN Red List (Endangered), Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Schedule I), and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (Appendix I).
