Environment and Ecology — Elephant Reserves: List and Conservation Efforts
1. Convention on Migratory Species (COP 13, 2020)
Context: Asian elephant was listed under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) at COP 13 in 2020.
2. MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants)
- The MIKE programme is an international collaboration between the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- The programme is designed to monitor the levels of illegal killing of elephants and to assess the effectiveness of existing anti-poaching measures.
Key Point: MIKE is a collaborative programme between CMS and IUCN to monitor illegal killing of elephants and assess anti-poaching effectiveness.
3. India's Conservation Efforts
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Schedule I protection.
- CITES (1976): Asiatic elephant in Appendix I (trade prohibited).
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
- Gajah Task Force (2010): Identified 26 priority corridors.
- Surakshya Portal (2020): Real-time Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) monitoring.
- Gaj Yatra (2017) & Gaj Mahotsav (2018): Awareness campaigns.
- Gaj Gaurav Award (2022): Grassroots conservation recognition.
Key Initiatives at a Glance:
- Gajah Task Force (2010): 26 priority corridors
- Surakshya Portal (2020): Real-time HEC monitoring
- Gaj Yatra (2017) & Gaj Mahotsav (2018): Awareness campaigns
- Gaj Gaurav Award (2022): Grassroots conservation recognition
4. List of Elephant Reserves in India
Context: Total Elephant Reserves: 33 | Elephant Population: 27,000-31,000
| S.No | Elephant Reserve | State/Region |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nilgiri ER | Tamil Nadu/Kerala |
| 2 | Dandeli ER | Karnataka |
| 3 | Wayanad ER | Kerala |
| 4 | Nilambur ER | Kerala |
| 5 | Anamudi ER | Kerala |
| 6 | Periyar ER | Kerala |
| 7 | Shivalik ER | Uttarakhand |
| 8 | Tera ER | Uttarakhand |
| 9 | Uttar Pradesh ER | Uttar Pradesh |
| 10 | Lemru ER | Chhattisgarh |
| 11 | Badalkhol Tamorpingla ER | Chhattisgarh |
| 12 | Singhbhum ER | Jharkhand |
| 13 | Ripu-Chirang ER | Assam |
| 14 | Mayurbhanj ER | Odisha |
| 15 | Sambalpur ER | Odisha |
| 16 | Mahanadi ER | Odisha |
| 17 | Rayala ER | Andhra Pradesh |
| 18 | Srivilliputhur ER | Tamil Nadu |
| 19 | Agasthiyamalai ER | Tamil Nadu/Kerala |
Key Statistics:
- Total Elephant Reserves: 33
- Elephant Population: 27,000-31,000
5. Summary: Elephant Conservation at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Elephant Reserves | 33 |
| Elephant Population | 27,000-31,000 |
| CMS Listing | COP 13 (2020) — Asian elephant listed |
| MIKE Programme | CMS + IUCN collaboration |
| WPA 1972 | Schedule I |
| CITES | Appendix I (1976) |
| Gajah Task Force | 2010 — 26 priority corridors |
| Surakshya Portal | 2020 — Real-time HEC monitoring |
| Awareness Campaigns | Gaj Yatra (2017), Gaj Mahotsav (2018) |
| Gaj Gaurav Award | 2022 — Grassroots conservation recognition |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Total ERs: 33 reserves; population: 27,000-31,000 elephants
- CMS (COP 13, 2020): Asian elephant listed under Convention on Migratory Species
- MIKE Programme: CMS + IUCN collaboration to monitor illegal killing of elephants
- WPA 1972: Schedule I protection; CITES (1976): Appendix I (trade prohibited)
- Gajah Task Force (2010): Identified 26 priority elephant corridors
- Surakshya Portal (2020): Real-time Human-Elephant Conflict monitoring
- Awareness Campaigns: Gaj Yatra (2017), Gaj Mahotsav (2018)
- Gaj Gaurav Award (2022): Grassroots conservation recognition
- Key ERs: Nilgiri, Dandeli, Wayanad, Periyar, Shivalik, Singhbhum, Mayurbhanj, Srivilliputhur
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Elephant Reserves — List and Conservation)
Q1. How many Elephant Reserves are there in India?
Correct Answer: C. India has 33 Elephant Reserves with an estimated population of 27,000-31,000 elephants.
Q2. The MIKE programme is a collaboration between which two organizations?
Correct Answer: C. The MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants) programme is an international collaboration between the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Q3. The Asian elephant was listed under CMS at which COP?
Correct Answer: C. The Asian elephant was listed under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) at COP 13 in 2020.
Q4. The Gajah Task Force identified how many priority elephant corridors in 2010?
Correct Answer: C. The Gajah Task Force (2010) identified 26 priority elephant corridors in India.
Q5. Which portal was launched in 2020 for real-time Human-Elephant Conflict monitoring?
Correct Answer: B. The Surakshya Portal was launched in 2020 for real-time Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) monitoring.
Q6. Which of the following is NOT a conservation campaign for elephants in India?
Correct Answer: D. Gaj Utsav is NOT a known conservation campaign. Gaj Yatra (2017), Gaj Mahotsav (2018), and Gaj Gaurav Award (2022) are the official initiatives.
Q7. The Asiatic elephant was placed in CITES Appendix I in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Asiatic elephant was placed in CITES Appendix I in 1976, prohibiting international trade.
Q8. Which Elephant Reserve is located in Odisha?
Correct Answer: B. Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve is located in Odisha. It covers Similipal, Hadagarh, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Q9. The Gaj Gaurav Award was instituted in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Gaj Gaurav Award was instituted in 2022 for grassroots conservation recognition.
Q10. Which of the following Elephant Reserves is located in Karnataka?
Correct Answer: C. Dandeli Elephant Reserve is located in Karnataka. Wayanad and Periyar ERs are in Kerala, while Srivilliputhur ER is in Tamil Nadu.