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Elephants, known as the Maha-Gardeners of the forest, are majestic creatures. August 12 is celebrated as World Elephant Day dedicated to the conservation and protection of these mammals. In India, 33 elephant reserves have been set up in 14 states that are key habitats of elephants to promote conservation. These reserves also overlap with tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved forests, reports PIB. These areas are protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and other local state acts. These elephant habitats focus on the conservation of elephants and help reduce animal-human conflict.
Elephant population sees rise in Tamil Nadu
The elephant census was released earlier this month, which revealed that the elephant population has increased. This three-day census was conducted in May in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The number of elephants in Tamil Nadu has increased by 100. In 2023, there were 2,971 mammals, and the total number of wild elephants reached 3,063 in 2024. The census was carried out in 26 forest divisions by 2,178 forest personnel, including forest inspectors, guards, rangers and wildlife NGO volunteers.
It was also found that Sathyamangalam Forest Division has the highest number of elephants at 372, followed by Coimbatore Forest Division with 336 elephants.
Petition filed for first elephant reserve in Maharashtra
Soon, the state will have its own reserve for elephants, which will further help in the conservation efforts of these elephants. The Maharashtra government is awaiting approval from the Centre. The Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, located in the eastern Vidarbha region of the state, wants to declare an area of over 1,400 sq km in Gondia and Gadchiroli districts as an elephant reserve. This is because these giant mammals from Chhattisgarh and Odisha were seen crossing the border in 2021. They have returned in 2022, which prompted the 2023 petition. According to a report by Down To Earth, a small population is roaming in the region.
Here are four elephant reserves in India that you can visit:
Periyar National Park, Kerala
With boat trips, jeep safaris and bus tours as well as guided walks and nature trails, Periyar National Park is a paradise for elephant lovers. The Mullaperiyar Dam, built in 1895, forms the Periyar Lake, which is artificially created and spreads over 26 square kilometers. The tiger and elephant reserve is part of the Western Ghats, a World Heritage Site under UNESCO. The entire protected area is 925 square kilometers, of which 305 square kilometers were declared as Periyar National Park in 1982. Visitors can spot Bengal tigers, Indian bison, sambar and barking deer, leopards and more.
Best time to visit: September to June
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (Domestic); Cochin International Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station
Cost: Rs 400
Park Timings: 6am to 7pm
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
The only national park in India that allows visitors to stay overnight, Jim Corbett National Park also offers elephant safaris to those interested. Here, up to four people can ride on one of these majestic creatures and enjoy two quiet hours in nature. If you are looking for a more traditional jungle adventure, you can also go on a geysi (jeep) safari, which can take around 3-4 hours. Along with elephants, you may also spot tigers, leopards, spotted deer, hog deer, langurs and wild boars here.
Best time to visit: October to June
Nearest Airport: Patna Airport (domestic); Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
Nearest Railway Station: Ramnagar Railway Station
Cost: Rs 3,350.00 for jeep safari; Rs 6,000 for elephant safari
Park Timings: 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
There are around 32 elephant reserves in India and the first reserve created in 2001 was the Singhbhum Elephant Reserve. These are important habitats focusing on elephant conservation and help reduce human-animal conflict. The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is located around the Dalma Hills and is spread over around 195 square kilometres. A herd of wild elephants lives here and in the summer months they can be seen gathering around the water holes of the reserve. Other animals living here include the pangolin, sloth bear, Indian grey wolf, giant squirrel, as well as peacocks and monkeys.
Best time to visit: March to May
Nearest Airport: Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (Domestic and International)
Nearest Railway Station: Balasore Railway Colony Station
Cost: Rs 2,800 for jeep; Rs 600 for safari
Park Timings: 6am to 5pm
Manas National Park, Assam
Serving as the base for the tiger and elephant reserve, Manas National Park is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It was declared a national park in 1990 and made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. They established the elephant reserve in 2003. The park shares the border with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park. Although it is not possible to cover the entire 850 square kilometers, visitors can enjoy a three-hour jeep safari or an hour-long elephant safari. Several endangered species and rare wildlife such as the red panda, golden langur, pygmy hog, Assam roofed top turtle and hispid hare live in its forests.
Best time to visit: October to April; closed June to September
Nearest Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati
Nearest Railway Station: Barpeta Road Railway Station
Cost: Rs 1,400 to Rs 4,500
Park Timings: 6am to 5pm
Interesting facts about elephants
- The elephant is the only mammal that cannot jump.
- An elephant remains pregnant for an average of 22 months.
- A calf can weigh around 90-113 kg at birth.
- An adult elephant eats about 100 kilograms of food and 100 litres of water every day.
- Their trunk serves as a nose, hand, extra leg, signaling device, and a tool for gathering food, extracting water, digging, etc.
- Ivory tusks are actually huge teeth that protrude from their mouths and are made of dentine (a dense, bony tissue) that elephants use to dig, carry things, and strip bark from trees for food and protection.
- Don’t be fooled by their size, elephants can swim and use their trunks to breathe underwater, much like a snorkel.
- While their trumpeting call is the most popular sound, elephants purr like cats to communicate. Asian elephants also growl, scream and snort.
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