Elephants at Risk : Poaching, Policy, and Protection

Context: 

A recent poaching incident in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu has triggered fresh concerns over the illegal wildlife trade, particularly involving elephant tusks. This case underscores the ongoing vulnerability of wild elephants, despite improved conservation outcomes in recent years.

What is Elephant Poaching?

• Poaching refers to the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually for commercial gain.

• In the case of elephants, poaching is driven by demand for:

  • Ivory (elephant tusks) used in ornaments, jewellery, and traditional medicine, particularly in Asian markets.

  • Live capture for use in tourism, entertainment, or exotic pet trade.

  • Other body parts for unregulated medicinal or cultural uses.

Current Status of Elephant Poaching in Tamil Nadu

• As per the Elephant Death Audit Framework of Tamil Nadu:

  • Poaching accounts for less than 1% of all elephant deaths since 2010.

  • However, it still constitutes 7.5% of all unnatural deaths.

• Recent incidents suggest that poaching networks may be reactivating, especially as elephant numbers recover.

Elephant Population Trends in Tamil Nadu

• 2012: Elephant population was over 4,000.

• 2017: Declined to below 2,800.

• 2024: Rebounded to 3,000+, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

• This rebound indicates improved habitat protection and enforcement measures.

Distribution and Conservation Status of Elephants in India

• Species: Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) – India’s largest terrestrial mammal.

• 60% of the global Asian elephant population is found in India.

• Major regions:

  • Southern India, Northeast India, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh.

• Legal and Conservation Status:

  • IUCN: Endangered.

  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I species — highest level of legal protection.

Key Concerns and Challenges

1. Resurgence of Poaching Activity

   • The Dharmapuri case signals possible reactivation of illegal wildlife trade networks.

2. Investigation and Reporting Gaps

   • The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in 2019 noted major lapses in poaching investigations across several forest divisions.

3. Underreporting

   • Official records may underestimate poaching, as many cases go undetected or unprosecuted.

4. Habitat Vulnerability

   • Forest patches like Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve are ecologically sensitive and easily exploited by poaching gangs due to forest connectivity.

Government Initiatives for Elephant Conservation

1. Project Elephant (1992)

   • Launched by the MoEFCC to protect elephants, conserve their habitats, and manage human-elephant conflict.

2. MIKE Programme (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants)

   • Under CITES, tracks poaching trends to shape global conservation responses.

3. Elephant Corridors

   • Identified and protected across India to ensure safe migration and reduce conflict with humans.

4. Gaj Yatra Campaign

   • Nationwide awareness campaign for coexistence and celebration of elephants.

5. Elephant Reserves

   • 33 notified reserves in India for long-term conservation efforts.

What Lies Ahead?

• Institutional Reforms:

  • Establish clear protocols for investigating wildlife deaths.

  • Promote transparency and fix accountability gaps.

• Capacity Building:

  • Upskill field staff for better monitoring, enforcement, and evidence collection.

• Legal Strengthening:

  • Protect enforcement officials from political or criminal pressures during poaching investigations.

• Inter-State Coordination:

  • Collaborate with neighbouring states to dismantle cross-border poaching and trade networks.

• Public Confidence & Monitoring:

  • Reopen past unresolved cases.

  • Encourage community involvement and regular population monitoring.