Elephant population dropped by 20% in 5 years

Key Points

• 1The unreleased elephant census report, 'Status of Elephant in India 2022-23,' shows a 20% drop in the elephant population.
• 2The report identifies 'mushrooming developmental projects' as significant threats.
• 3The final report, including the Northeast estimation, is expected by the end of June 2025.
• 4The elephant census is conducted every five years by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• 5The Central Indian and Eastern Ghats cluster saw a 41% drop.
• 6The drop in the Western Ghats landscape could be as high as 18%.
• 7The report urged strategies to strengthen corridors, restore habitat, and mitigate developmental projects.