Gaj Utsav 2023 – Celebrating 30 Years of Project Elephant

March 27, 2023

The Indian Government is set to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Project Elephant with the Gaj Utsav 2023. This two-day event aims to promote elephant conservation, protect their habitat and corridors, and prevent human-elephant conflicts. It will also ensure the welfare of captive elephants in India.

Inauguration and Venue

The Gaj Utsav 2023 will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on April 9 at Kaziranga National Park in Assam. This event is significant as Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the highest density of tigers in the world.

Project Elephant: Its Significance

Project Elephant is a centrally-sponsored scheme launched in 1991-92 to protect elephants and their habitats in India. With an estimated population of 30,000-40,000 elephants, India accounts for more than 60 per cent of the global wild elephant population. Elephants are considered a national heritage animal protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

Celebrating Project Tiger’s 50th Anniversary

In addition to the Gaj Utsav, India is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in Mysuru, Karnataka. Starting on April 7, this event aims to showcase India’s tiger conservation success globally, release the latest tiger census data, and present the government’s vision for tiger conservation.

India’s Tiger Conservation Success

Project Tiger, launched in 1973, promotes tiger conservation in India. Approximately 2.4 per cent of India’s geographical area is covered by tiger reserves, which serve as repositories for biodiversity conservation, ensure regional water security and carbon sequestration, and contribute to accomplishing India’s climate change mitigation targets. India has a current tiger population of about 3,000, accounting for more than 70 per cent of the global wild tiger population. The tiger population in India is increasing at six per cent per annum, which is significant in the context of global tiger conservation.

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