The elephant census is conducted every five years by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), an autonomous body that report to the Environment ministry.  Photograph by Kumar Sambhav Shrivastava
Wildlife & Biodiversity

Elephant population on decline in India, shrunk 20% in last 5 years

The dip in tusker population is sharpest in Central Indian and Eastern Ghats — 41 per cent compared with 2017 estimates

DTE Staff

Elephants, the biggest mammals on land, are fast disappearing from Indian wilderness as noted by a government report which was shelved for official reasons.

It is reported that the elephant population has declined by 20 per cent in the last five years. The Environment ministry claims that the publication of the report has been postponed as the data from northeastern states is yet to arrive.

In the last five years, Southern West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha saw the maximum loss — 84 per cent, 68 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively.

The ministry has clarified that the final report will be published in June, 2025.