Elephant reserves of India: an Atlas (Version - 2/2023)

Abstract

This document aimed at carrying out Management Evaluation and Effectiveness (MEE) of the Elephant Reserves. Formulation of MEE was a major step towards institutionalizing management of the Elephant Reserves in the country. Thus, the Project Elephant is keen to keep the database pertaining to the Elephant Reserves up to date. During the period 2022 – 2023, two new Elephant Reserves were notified. This includes the (i) Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve in Tamil Nadu, which was notified in the biodiversity rich southern Western Ghats, and (ii) the Terai Elephant Reserve in Uttar Pradesh in the Dudhwa landscape along the Terai flood plains, which is a renowned as a large mammal paradise acting as a stronghold for tigers, swamp deer, one-horned rhinoceros and the transboundary population of elephants ranging between India and Nepal. With these two additions, India currently has 33 Elephant Reserves spread at 80,777 km2 of mosaic habitats.