India Celebrates Growing Elephant Population on World Elephant Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav marked World Elephant Day by praising community efforts and increased elephant populations, reaffirming commitment to habitat protection and highlighting cultural significance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on World Elephant Day, lauded the diverse community initiatives aimed at elephant conservation and reiterated the nation's commitment to providing conducive habitats for these majestic mammals. Modi expressed satisfaction over the growing elephant population in recent years.

"World Elephant Day is an occasion to appreciate the wide range of community efforts to protect elephants. At the same time, we reaffirm our commitment to doing everything possible to ensure elephants get a conducive habitat where they can thrive. For us in India, the elephant is linked to our culture and history, too. And it's gladdening that over the last few years, their numbers have been on the rise," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, also shared his pride in the country's achievements, noting the rise in the number of elephant reserves over the past decade. Yadav highlighted that India hosts approximately 60% of the global Asian elephant population, emphasizing their cultural and ecological significance. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that August 12 is celebrated globally as World Elephant Day to reaffirm human commitment to conserving this iconic species.