Current Affairs - Environment - Discussion

India’s first DNA-based elephant census conducted under the All-India Synchronous Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2025 recorded an 18% decline in the wild elephant population. The latest estimate shows 22,446 elephants, a decrease from 27,312 in 2017. This scientific census, carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with Project Elephant and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), provides more accurate data for wildlife management. The findings highlight growing concerns over habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures across India’s elephant ranges.