These elephants, made of an invasive plant species called Lantana camara, are being displayed across the city for a month, till March 3.
The highlight of the month-long fest includes 100 lantana elephants, symbolising coexistence, displayed across various locations such as lakes, colleges, metro stations, and key institutions, with a concentration at Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. (Supplied)
In a first-of-its-kind effort to promote human-wildlife coexistence, Bengaluru has become host to a hundred ‘jumbos’ in its green spaces, educational institutions and even tech parks. These elephants, made of an invasive plant species called Lantana camara, are being displayed across the city for a month, till March 3.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Rajeev Gowda, Vice Chairman, State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka (SITK) and Subhash Malkhede (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka at Lalbagh, one of the city’s most popular green havens.
Appreciating the use of Lantana camara in a way that rids the forest of invasive species, Gowda said, “Transforming lantana into sculptures of elephants, in a manner that yields economic benefits for the tribal communities that successfully coexist with various wildlife, is a good idea. Some policy measures also need to be taken in this regard. I can see what I can do as the head of the Planning Commission. I can bring this up with the appropriate Ministries and try and tweak the rules in the law to facilitate this legally.”
The panel at the inauguration of the event. (Supplied)
Subhash Malkhede (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka, welcomed this announcement, citing the need for additional funds to tackle the lantana menace.
“The department had been removing lantana to convert the area into grasslands. But whatever we try to do, the expanse of the area invaded is so vast that the efforts we put in seem meagre. We have asked for funds to aid habitat restoration,” he explained.
Further speaking about coexistence in Karnataka and Bengaluru, he said, “We have been coexisting with wildlife without even realising. We are cohabiting with leopards but we get panicked when we see them on CCTV cameras or social media. Coexistence is unconditional love for all beings that you cohabit with. As human beings, we have lost that intuition but tribal communities continue to exhibit it. Leopards in an urban landscape may be a problem but we must make the effort to cohabit.”
50 talks have been planned on coexistence by experts from across India. (Supplied)
Dr C Madegowda, President, Soliga Abhivruddhi Sanga shared that for centuries, Adivasis have coexisted with wildlife, seeing the divine in nature—from the elephant to the tiger and their traditions, songs, and reverence for over 500 deities across BRT embody this symbiosis.
“Despite challenges, including pressures for relocation and threats like lantana, we’re seeing positive shifts. Organisations now recognise the value of coexistence, and the forest department’s initiative to employ locals as protectors of our forests is a testament to this change,” he said.
Dr Madegowda further added that together, with efforts like Shola Trust’s training on lantana elephant making, we can forge a sustainable path forward.
“It’s time to embrace a multifaceted approach to conservation, acknowledging the critical role of indigenous knowledge and community involvement in protecting our natural heritage,” he said.
Photo exhibitions, nature walks, a range of talks, workshops and round-table discussions linked to the exhibition will happen all across the city. (Supplied)
Coexistence: The Great Elephant Migration is a month-long event being organised by the Coexistence Collective (a range of conservation organisations promoting human-wildlife coexistence) in collaboration with the Forest, Ecology and Environment as well as the Horticulture Departments of the Government of Karnataka.
They will be hosting – photo exhibitions, nature walks, a range of talks, workshops and round-table discussions linked to the exhibition happening all across the city.
Post the launch, between 3 February to 3 March, there are several events and activities designed to help build awareness and understanding of shared spaces between humans and wildlife.
The highlight includes 100 lantana elephants, symbolising coexistence, displayed across various locations such as lakes, colleges, metro stations, and key institutions, with a concentration at Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.
In addition around 50 talks have been planned on coexistence by experts from across India, hosted by esteemed organisations including the Infosys Science Foundation and Science Gallery Bangalore.
Cubbon Park and Lalbagh will offer floor games and nature walks. (Supplied)
“Overall in India, over 75% of the Asian Elephant’s Range lies outside protected areas. Karnataka is home to more elephants than any other state in India. There is of course a large amount of conflict between people and elephants, but there remains a deep cultural connection with elephants that is not picked up in the media. This exhibition highlights that, but also tries to balance the needs of people and elephants and minimise conflict.” said Dr Tarsh Thekaekara of The Real Elephant Collective, who is making the sculptures.
To engage the youth in Bengaluru, introductory talks will be organised at major colleges in the city, with an open invitation for institutions to host their own. For deeper visitor engagement, Cubbon Park and Lalbagh will offer floor games and nature walks.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India will bring a unique Nature-Culture celebration, and the event will also include a Mini Coexistence Film Festival, a Coexistence Photo Exhibition by Nature in Focus, and the Coexistence Challenge by the India Biodiversity Portal, encouraging citizens to photograph local wildlife.
“A unique travelling exhibition of Lantana elephants will visit various corporate campuses. Roundtables and public discussions have also been organised with scientists, specialists, and ministers on critical topics such as Human-Elephant coexistence, One Health, and Lantana management. To cap off the celebration, WWF-India will lead a “Kere habba” to highlight the importance of lakes as urban biodiversity hotspots. This comprehensive celebration aims to inspire and educate the public on the importance of coexisting harmoniously with our natural world,” said Dr. Samira Agnihotri, Director of the Consortium.
Each sculpture displayed across the city has been modelled on a real wild elephant from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and tells the story of coexistence. These model elephants are instrumental in not only the removal of invasive weeds from the forest but also in providing indigenous communities. They have also been displayed across the world to raise funds to support human-wildlife harmony in India.
The models of the ‘Lantana Elephants’ have been made by The Real Elephant Collective in India, in partnership with the UK Charity Elephant Family. Close to 150 indigenous people in Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka are involved in making Lantana elephants and other crafts.
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