Asian Elephant Conservation in India

EcoHealth Alliance partner, the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF), has developed a detailed GIS based database for the southern India region, mapping elephant distribution, and habitats (corridors, vegetation types, land use). This information is incorporated into a database of secondary information on human-elephant conflict. In spatial terms this database covers major parts of the southern India ranges of the Asian elephant. Currently work is being done on parts of the eastern India range (Orissa). ANCF uses such information combined with its overall expertise in elephant management to conduct training programs for selected State Forest departments on population estimation (for census purposes) and management of problem elephants. Under a proposed Ministry of Environment and Forests supported study ANCF will, in partnership with selected official and non official agencies and institutions, systematically extend its work (field survey, research, capacity building) to cover each elephant bearing region of the country i.e. southern, eastern, north eastern and north western.

India's three thousand odd elephants in captivity are spread among forest camps, temples, zoos, circuses and a variety of private owners. ANCF has a long term program to monitor and evaluate the management status of each of these categories of captive elephants in the 13 states of India in which they are located. ANCF has developed a quantitative framework for the assessment of 'welfare status' and quality of management under which the animals are held. A number of policy papers have been developed and submitted to government in regard to the management of captive elephants under various regimes. ANCF has collaborated with elephant experts in developing a set of comprehensive manuals for the management and healthcare of captive elephants.

About the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation
ANCF fosters the collective efforts of trained professionals in ecological sciences and nature conservation. The Foundation’s research activities form the basis for crafting effective conservation policies and strategies. ANCF is a leader in Asian elephant research and conservation. The mission of the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF) is to bring good science to the conservation of India's biological diversity. ANCF carries out field based research in conservation, advises the central and state governments on conservation policy, trains key stakeholders in conservation planning and management and has developed a GIS based conservation database for the elephant ranges of India.

ANCF is recognized as a leading institution on the conservation and management of the Asian elephant. Dr. Raman Sukumar, an eminent conservation biologist and a leading authority on the Asian elephant, founded the organization in Bangalore, India, in 1998, and is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ANCF. Mr Thomas Mathew, an experienced conservation planner who joined the organization in 2007, serves as the Executive Director.