Environment and Forest Minister launched an Elephant Conservation Programme, Hathi Mere Sathi

Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on 24 may 2011 launched an elephant conservation programme, Hathi Mere Sathi on lines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The objective of the programme is to protect elephants as the mining projects in Central India pose great threat to Elephant corridors especially in the states of Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand.

The ministry is concerned about the killing of Elephants in rail accidents and ill treatment meted out to the Elephants used in temples. All the States have been urged, not to keep elephants in the zoos.

The Government had in 2010 declared the Elephant as the National Heritage Animal of the country. There are over 26000 elephants in India, out which one third are held in captivity.

Ramesh announced Government’s intention to set up a National Elephant Conservation Authority to protect and conserve Elephants in the country. The need to strike a balance between mining projects and safeguarding Elephant corridors has been felt. However, the minister mentioned that wildlife conservation efforts cannot succeed without the active participation of the local communities.