The Karnataka Forest Department carried out the elephant census with technical support from the IISc in 32 divisions in the state.
Published Aug 12, 2023 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 12, 2023 | 9:38 AM
Karnataka houses the highest number of elephants in the country. (Supplied)
In a heartening development for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, recent findings shared by Karnataka’s Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar Khandre have shown a positive trend in the state’s elephant population.
With an increase of around 350 individuals, Karnataka now has the highest population of elephants in the country.
According to the Department of Forest: “The number of elephants in the state is about 350 more than before, and the elephant population has been analysed to be between 5,914 and 6,877.”
“There were around 6,049 elephants in the state in 2017, and this time (2023) the estimate is 6,395 elephants, an increase of about 350,” added the Forest Department.
Despite being powerful wild animals, elephants are facing threats worldwide.
To protect the species on the brink of extinction, awareness about their habitat conservation and well-being has been promoted through World Elephant Day, observed annually on 12 August since 2012.
The Karnataka Forest Department carried out an elephant census with technical support from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in 32 divisions in the state.
Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu took the lead and conducted a synchronised elephant population estimation. A similar census activity took place in Andhra Pradesh.
The elephant census is conducted once in five years. The last census of tuskers was carried out in 2017.
It may also be noted that on average, 70 elephants have died in the last two years.
The elephant census conducted by the Karnataka Forest Department for three days in mid-May yielded positive outcomes as the state saw a rise in the tusker population by around 350.
Researchers and wildlife experts collaborated to comprehensively assess the elephant population across the state.
According to the Forest Department census report: “The estimated population of elephants stands at 6,395. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve has the highest population with 1,116 elephants, followed by the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, which has 831 elephants.”
It added: “The BRT Tiger Reserve has 619 elephants, the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has 706 elephants, the Bhadra Tiger Reserve has 445 elephants, and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary has 236 elephants. The Yellapur Division has the least population of elephants with two.”
The report also said: “Of the total elephants, 50.53 percent of tuskers are adult, 15.72 percent are sub-adult, 23.14 percent are juvenile, and 10.6 percent are calves.”
ವಿಕಾಸಸೌಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಪ್ರಸಕ್ತ ಸಾಲಿನ ಆನೆ ಗಣತಿಯನ್ನು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಯಿತು. ನೂತನ ವರದಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ 2017ರಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು 6049 ಆನೆಗಳಿದ್ದವು. ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಗಣತಿಯ ವೇಳೆ 6,395 ಆನೆಗಳಿವೆ ಎಂದು ಅಂದಾಜು ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಸುಮಾರು 350 ರಷ್ಟು ಆನೆಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚಳವಾಗಿವೆ ಇದು ಸಂತಸದ ವಿಷಯವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಅರಣ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ವನ್ಯಜೀವಿಗಳ… pic.twitter.com/2NIXPj2qGr
— Eshwar Khandre (@eshwar_khandre) August 9, 2023
Khandre told reporters: “The analysis of the elephant population ranged from 5,914 to 6,877, showcasing the precision of their estimations.”
He continued: “In 2017, a similar census indicated the presence of approximately 6,049 elephants in the state. This time, the estimate has risen to 6,395 elephants, highlighting the upward trend in the elephant population.”
He also said: “An elephant census was carried out in 2017. Subsequently, in 2022, there was an attempt to integrate the elephant census into the All-India Tiger Census. However, this approach lacked certain crucial components, such as the sample block count and population structure, which are essential for accurate estimations.”
Giving details about the census report, Khandre added: “The nature of this census, training of field staff, analysis of census results, and preparations of reports were carried out under the headship of IISc Professor R Sukumar. The Forest Department conducted the elephant census in 32 divisions from 17 May to 19 May.”
The Karnataka Forest Department carried out an elephant survey by using three different methodologies: Direct count, dung count, and waterhole count.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Dr Ramesh Kumar P told South First: “The direct count involved on-the-ground observation of elephants within specified sample blocks, covering an area of five square km. The dung count centred around surveying dung piles along designated transect lines to estimate elephant numbers.”
He added: “Lastly, the waterhole count focused on monitoring elephants visiting waterholes and extrapolating data based on movement patterns, age categories, male-female ratios, and more.”
Out of the 32 divisions, the census was conducted in 23 divisions, yielding a direct count of 2,219 elephants on the census day.
This comprehensive approach covered an expansive area of 18,975 square km, with 6,104 square km dedicated to the dung-count method.
CCF Ramesh Kumar said: “The effective protection and curb in poaching has resulted in a rise in the population of elephants in Karnataka. There have been no incidents of poaching in the last four to five years in the state.”
He added: “The removal of weeds and increase in grassland has yielded in ensuring good food for the wildlife, mainly for elephants. Every herd of elephants has one or two calves. It is a good sign.”
On the Bandipur Tiger Reserve being the home to the highest number of elephants, he pointed out: “It is a great achievement. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve is also famed for having the highest population of elephants, leopards, and tigers.”
Ramesh Kumar added: “We are also creating awareness among farmers, students, and youths about wildlife. We have already held over 70 camps in Bandipur.”
Amidst the rise in elephant population, wildlife experts have expressed concern over the decreasing habitat quality across the state.
“The elephant numbers are improving. It is good progress. However, the situation is a complete contrast to the situation on the ground,” wildlife expert Krupakar told South First.
“The habitat quality is decreasing but the population is on the rise. Where is the space to accommodate wildlife? The quality of the forest is not healthy,” he added.
“We cannot create forests and fix the boundaries. It is important to understand the ecology of elephants. We only think of humans but not wildlife. Elephants are under stress.”
Krupakar also said: “If the government is concerned about elephants, then let it hand over the maximum revenue forest — which is located adjacent to forest boundaries — to wildlife. It will increase the size of the forest, and subsequently the quality of the habitat.”
In the last three years, Karnataka has recorded 176 instances of elephant mortality.
According to the Forest Department: “A total of 83 elephants died in 2021, 72 in 2022, and 21 in 2023 (till April).”
It added: “A total of 18 tuskers reported unnatural deaths, where most of them died due to electrocution, in 2021. 15 elephants died in 2022, and two in 2023.”
Ramesh Kumar said: “The elephant death is not extensive. The only concern for the unnatural death of elephants is electrocution.”
He added: “In most of the unnatural deaths, the tuskers have died while going through farmlands, which have electric fencing. We need the support of farmers to curb this unnatural death of elephants due to electrocution. We are creating awareness among the people residing around forest areas.”
