Question : ELEPHANT CORRIDORS

(a) the details of the Elephant corridors/elephant zones located in the country, along with the measures taken to improve the efficacy of such corridors/zones State-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to set up more elephant corridors and elephant zones in the country including Jharkhand;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the salient features of the Elephant corridor project in the country along with the funds sanctioned/released for various projects during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) State-Wise Details of Elephant Reserves in the country are given in Annexure-I. Steps taken to improve efficacy of elephant reserves/corridors are given below;

(i) Financial and Technical assistance is provided to 16 elephant range states under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Project Elephant’.

(ii) Regular and extensive patrolling and anti poaching measures are taken.

(iii) Trainings and awareness camps are organised regularly for local people for conservation of elephants and other wildlife.

(iv) Habitat improvement and eco-restoration is taken up in critical areas of elephant corridors.

(v) Forest Protection Force is deployed in vulnerable forest areas.
(vi) Mitigation measures for human elephant conflict, including ex-gratia payment to villagers for loss of life and property, are adopted.

(b)&(c) Elephant Task Force has recommended declaration of a total of 32 Elephant Reserves across the country. No additional elephant corridor is proposed to be created in Jharkhand.

(d) Elephant Corridors link two or more patches of forests within elephant reserves. Details of funds related to States under ‘Project Elephant’ Scheme during 2011-12 to 2014-15 are given in Annexure-II.