Assam: State Elephant Population Increases to 5,828 in 2024

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The elephant population in Assam has increased and the number has gone up to 5,828 in 2024, as compared to 5,719 in the 2017 survey. This elephant survey in the state with the use of drones took place in February 2024. The survey covered 43 forest divisions, five elephant reserves, nine elephant ranges, and 26 protected areas. The survey report has revealed that the number of elephants has increased to 5828, including 36 percent adult females, 17.6 percent calves, and 12.3 percent juveniles. Commenting on this positive development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The last survey was conducted in Assam in 2017, and it recorded 5,719 elephants in the state. It has increased to 5,828 in 2024. This is a positive wave for wildlife conservation in Assam."

The Chief Minister also commended the efforts of the Forest Department in elephant conservation.

The elephant population was 5524 in 1993. After that, the population figure kept declining, to 5312 in 1997 and 5246 in 2002. However, elephant populations in the state have been maintaining an upward trend, with 5281 in 2008, 5620 in 2011, 5719 in 2017, and 5828 in 2024.

Meanwhile, the rise in elephant population in the state leads to frequent human-elephant conflicts involving deaths on either side. A person named Khuru Bahadur Rana was trampled to death by an elephant in the Goalpara district on Wednesday. Many people had to lose their lives in elephant attacks in the state in 2024. This being the paddy reaping season, elephants frequent paddy fields, eat, and damage standing crops, besides houses.

On December 29 last year, Assam took a significant step towards mitigating human-wildlife conflict by forming anti-depredation squads in various districts, including in the fringe areas of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in the Morigaon district. These squads aim to ensure the safety of both humans and animals.

The range officer of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary said that the initiative has been taken by involving locals of nearby villages, especially the farmers who are engaged directly in the protection of their farmland from wild animals of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Forest Department, in collaboration with Aranyak, established 13 anti-depredation squads, each comprising residents from different villages. Winter jackets, raincoats, and charging torches have been provided to locals with the help of Aranyak, allowing them to assist the department in emergencies during this winter.

Also Read: Human-Wildlife Conflict: Elephant attacks man near Rani’s Pitbari area in Guwahati

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