Assam’s Elephant Population Rises to 5,828 in 2024 Census

The Elephant Population Estimation (EPE) 2024 report, released Wednesday, recorded 5,828 elephants in Assam, up from 5,719 in 2017.

Key findings include:

• Population Distribution: 82% of elephants reside in five Elephant Reserves (ERs), with Chirang-Ripu Reserve recording the highest density (79 elephants/100 sq km).
• Reproduction: A robust adult female-to-calf ratio of 0.49 was observed.
• Habitat Trends: 68% of elephants are in protected areas, 30.4% in managed forests, and 1.6% in revenue areas.
• Anti-Poaching Success: The tusker-to-makhna ratio improved from 1:2.63 (2017) to 1:1.97.

The synchronized survey spanned all 43 forest divisions, involving 5,743 personnel over eight days. Recommendations include securing elephant corridors, habitat restoration, and advanced monitoring.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma released the report, emphasizing its role in shaping Assam’s elephant conservation strategy.