Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, August 12, 2025 –

India marked World Elephant Day 2025 with a grand celebration in Coimbatore, reaffirming its position as a global leader in elephant conservation. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, inaugurated the event, emphasizing India’s commitment to protecting its National Heritage Animal, which constitutes nearly 60% of the world’s wild elephant population.

Speaking at the event, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted India’s innovative approach, blending advanced technologies like AI, remote sensing, and geospatial mapping with traditional knowledge to safeguard elephant habitats.

He underscored the cultural and spiritual significance of elephants, revered as symbols of strength, wisdom, and good fortune, deeply embedded in India’s history, art, and religious traditions, including as embodiments of Lord Ganesha.
The Coimbatore celebrations showcased Tamil Nadu’s vital role in sustaining a significant elephant population and addressing human-elephant conflict.

The event brought together foresters, policymakers, wildlife experts, and conservationists to share strategies for fostering coexistence. A key moment was the conferment of the Gaj Gaurav Awards to forest frontline heroes and mahouts from Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh for their exemplary contributions to elephant conservation.

A significant highlight was the release of “Healthy Feet, Healthy Elephants: A Guide to Foot Care in Captive Asian Elephants,” offering practical recommendations to enhance the well-being of captive elephants through improved hygiene and preventive care. Additionally, a nationwide awareness campaign engaged approximately 12 lakh students from 5,000 schools to promote elephant conservation and harmonious coexistence.

A workshop on human-elephant conflict mitigation facilitated discussions among representatives from elephant range states, focusing on habitat management, corridor protection, and community engagement. The event, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, reflected India’s unified commitment to preserving its thriving forest ecosystems and ensuring a secure future for its revered elephants.