The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, will celebrate World Elephant Day 2025 on August 12 in Coimbatore. The event will highlight India’s leadership in protecting its National Heritage Animal and its commitment to ensuring the species’ long-term survival.
India hosts nearly 60% of the world’s wild elephants, with 33 Elephant Reserves and 150 identified corridors, according to the 2023 Elephant Corridors Report. Backed by robust laws, strong institutions, and deep public support, the country is globally recognised for harmonising wildlife protection with human development.
Tamil Nadu’s Role in Elephant Conservation
Tamil Nadu, rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, sustains a significant elephant population and is pivotal in addressing human-elephant conflict. Coimbatore’s event will bring together foresters, policymakers, civil society, and wildlife experts to discuss conservation strategies and conflict mitigation.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav will inaugurate the celebration, joined by Union MoS Kriti Vardhan Singh and Tamil Nadu’s Forest and Khadi Minister Thiru R. S. Rajakannappan. Senior officials from MoEF&CC, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the Ministry of Railways, and other states will also participate.
Workshop on Human-Elephant Conflict
A key feature of the celebration will be a dedicated workshop on Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). Elephant range states will share challenges, from habitat encroachment to rising incidents of elephants entering human settlements. Discussions will cover best practices in habitat management, corridor maintenance, awareness generation, and community engagement in high-conflict zones.
This initiative aligns with Project Elephant, which focuses on scientific solutions and local participation to balance conservation with human welfare.
Nationwide Public Awareness Drive
The event will also launch a massive awareness programme involving around 12 lakh school students from 5,000 schools nationwide. This outreach underscores the government’s commitment to instilling conservation values in future generations.
