Guwahati, Jan 2: Assam’s elephant population has risen to an estimated 5,828, marking a modest increase of 128 individuals over the past seven years, according to the 2024 Elephant Population Estimation Report.

This growth, from 5,719 in 2017, demonstrates the resilience of Assam’s elephant population, which has consistently remained above 5,200 individuals since 1993, despite ongoing challenges such as habitat fragmentation, poaching, and human encroachment.

“The steady growth reflects the positive impact of conservation measures, although it also highlights areas requiring continued attention,” the report notes.

Population Distribution and Structure

The census, which used the Direct Visual Total Count (DVTC) method, reveals that 68% of Assam’s elephants are found in protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Another 30.5% inhabit managed forests, with 1.5% living in revenue areas outside traditional elephant habitats.

The population structure is largely stable, with 52.2% adults, indicating a healthy age distribution. Sub-adults represent 17.9%, juveniles 12.3%, and calves 17.6%. The high proportion of calves is a positive sign, reflecting successful breeding and a population with strong reproductive potential.

“Recruitment is robust, which helps balance adult mortality over time, ensuring long-term population stability if threats such as habitat loss and human-elephant conflict are effectively addressed,” the report states.

Gender and Age Trends

The male population is composed primarily of tuskless Makhnas (64.5%), followed by Tuskers (32.8%), with a small number of Ganesh-type males (2.7%). The dominance of Makhna elephants, a phenomenon driven by poaching pressures, underscores their vital role in maintaining herd dynamics and social structure despite the absence of tusks.

The report notes that nearly 81.5% of Assam’s elephants are concentrated within five major Elephant Reserves (ERs), highlighting the importance of these protected areas. The largest population is in the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve, which houses 2,044 elephants. In contrast, the Dhansiri-Lungding ER has the lowest density, with just six elephants per 100 sq km,signallingg severe habitat degradation.

Recommendations for Conservation

To address these challenges, the report calls for:

1.Strengthening anti-poaching efforts, particularly in low-density and vulnerable corridors.

2.Enhancing habitat quality within protected areas and improving connectivity between fragmented habitats across Elephant Reserves.

3.Identifying and securing elephant corridors to ensure safe movement and reduce the risk of isolation.
4. Implementing large-scale community-based interventions, early warning systems, and conflict mitigation strategies in high-conflict zones to protect both human and elephant populations.

While the population increase is promising, the report emphasizes that continued conservation efforts are critical to maintaining this upward trend and ensuring the long-term survival of Assam’s elephants.

Read: Assam’s elephant population increases to 5,828, but habitat pressures persist.

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