Guardians of the Wild: How Protecting Elephants Ensures the Future of Forests
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stated that on World Elephant Day 2026, we celebrate the majestic elephant, which has remained an integral part of India’s ecological heritage. He expressed gladness that India is home to over 60 percent of the world's wild Asian elephants.
The Prime Minister noted that our nation has 33 Elephant Reserves, which provide habitats for elephants and strengthen our efforts towards their long-term conservation. Modi also expressed pride in all forest personnel, scientists, veterinarians, mahouts, and the local communities who are integral to all such efforts. We are also proud of all forest personnel, scientists, veterinarians, mahouts and the local communities who are integral to all such efforts."
Effective measures are being taken to mitigate human-elephant conflict
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stated that elephant conservation is not merely a campaign to save a single species, but an effort to safeguard forests, biodiversity, and the nation's natural heritage.
In a social media post, Bhupender Yadav said that the country is home to 33 elephant reserves across 14 states and 150 scientifically identified elephant corridors. Alongside the conservation of these areas, advanced monitoring of elephant populations is being conducted, and effective measures are being taken to mitigate human-elephant conflict.
Yadav emphasized that the future of India's forests and biodiversity is inextricably linked to the secure future of elephants.
He called for concrete efforts to ensure that elephants can roam freely across India's forests and natural landscapes for generations to come.
Elephants are nature's ecosystem engineers: Kirti Vardhan
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that India possesses some of the world's richest and most diverse natural landscapes. As India is home to approximately 60 percent of the world's wild Asian elephants, these animals serve as a living symbol of the country's ecological heritage.
Describing elephants as nature's "ecosystem engineers," he explained that as they roam the forests, they disperse seeds over vast distances, enabling new plants and trees to flourish. Thus, every movement of the elephant plays a vital role in maintaining the forest's natural balance.
Both ministers appealed to the public to unite in the conservation of these majestic yet sensitive creatures. The message is clear: if the elephants' pathways remain secure, the balance of our forests and nature will also be preserved.