Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the Elephant Population Estimation (EPE) 2024 report on Wednesday during a ceremony held at the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden.
The 2024 report reveals that Assam’s elephant population has seen a positive increase, with the current number standing at 5,828, up from 5,719 in 2017.
This growth is indicative of the success of the state’s ongoing conservation efforts aimed at protecting the species.
This year’s estimation marks the seventh statewide synchronised exercise conducted from February 20 to 27, 2024, across all 43 forest divisions of Assam.
The initiative involved 5,743 personnel and included the sampling of 1,536 survey blocks.
The large-scale participation underscores the comprehensive approach taken to gather accurate data on the elephant population.
A significant portion of Assam’s elephant population, about 82% (4,777 elephants), resides within the state’s five designated Elephant Reserves.
ALSO READ: IIT-Guwahati develops injectable hydrogel for cancer treatment with fewer side effects
The Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve stands out with the highest density, hosting 79 elephants per 100 square kilometers, highlighting the importance of these reserves in ensuring the survival of the species.
The report also presents a positive outlook on the reproductive health of elephants in Assam, with an Adult Female to Calf Ratio recorded at 0.49, meaning 49 calves are born for every 100 adult females.
This indicates successful reproduction and recruitment within the population.
Assam’s elephant population has remained relatively stable for decades, with the numbers never dropping below 5,200, despite challenges such as habitat fragmentation and human-elephant conflicts.
Protected areas play a vital role in this stability, housing 68% of the state’s elephants.
Additionally, 30.4% of the population resides in managed forests, while only 1.6% is found in revenue areas.
The report also reveals an improvement in the tusker-to-makhna ratio, which now stands at 1:1.97, up from 1:2.63 in 2017.
This improvement is attributed to the state’s strengthened anti-poaching measures, which have proven effective in safeguarding the elephant population.
Looking forward, the EPE 2024 report offers several recommendations to further enhance conservation efforts.
These include bolstering anti-poaching initiatives, restoring habitats in low-density regions, and securing long-term movement pathways by notifying all identified elephant corridors.
The report also emphasises the importance of employing advanced monitoring techniques, such as radio-telemetry, to study elephant movement and adapt management strategies accordingly.
The findings of the EPE 2024 will be used to draft a comprehensive state-level action plan aimed at improving elephant conservation in Assam, ensuring the continued survival of this iconic species for years to come.
