World Elephant Day: PM Modi Highlights India’s Role In Protecting Wild Asian Elephants

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used World Elephant Day to underline the importance of elephants to India’s natural and ecological heritage.

In a message shared on X, PM Modi noted that India supports more than 60 per cent of the global population of wild Asian elephants. He pointed to the country’s 33 Elephant Reserves as important areas that offer suitable habitats and strengthen efforts to protect elephant populations.

The Prime Minister praised the people working on the ground, including forest officials, researchers, veterinarians, mahouts and communities living near elephant habitats.

On World Elephant Day, we celebrate the majestic elephant which has remained an integral part of India’s ecological heritage. It is gladdening that India is home to over 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephants. Our nation has 33 Elephant Reserves, which provide habitats for… pic.twitter.com/0hOaWcoBPQ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 12, 2026

World Elephant Day

World Elephant Day takes place on August 12 every year and focuses attention on the protection and survival of elephants across the world.

The international campaign began in 2012 through a partnership involving Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation and Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims.

The initiative seeks to draw attention to major threats faced by elephants, such as poaching, shrinking habitats, encounters with humans and poor treatment in captivity.

India has developed a network of protected areas and movement routes to support elephant populations.

The 2023 Report on Elephant Corridors in India identified 33 Elephant Reserves and 150 elephant corridors across the country.

India has also recognised the elephant as its National Heritage Animal because of its ecological, historical and cultural importance.

Despite conservation measures, elephants continue to face serious threats from human activities.

The Wildlife Institute of India has highlighted several challenges affecting the species, while disturbing incidents involving attacks on elephants have also raised concerns.

Reports of people using weapons, firecrackers and fireballs against elephants, including young calves, have underlined the continuing risks faced by the animals.

World Elephant Day provides conservation groups, wildlife specialists and animal welfare organisations with an opportunity to promote stronger protection measures.

Also Read: ‘Ready To Answer Every Question’: Amit Shah Pushes For Debate On NEET Student Protest