Elephant reserves in India are various protected areas, which conserve elephants and their natural habitats in the country. Along with elephants, several other species of wildlife are protected in these areas. These areas help in checking the depletion of elephants by means of illegal hunting and poaching. These areas have been established under Project Elephant, which was launched by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in the year 1992. Thirty two elephant reserves exist in India, as of 2010. These reserves occupy a total area of about 69,583 square kilometers. Given below are elephant reserves in different parts of India.
Elephant Reserves in Northern India
Shivalik Elephant Reserve is located in Uttarakhand. It was notified in the year 2003 and occupies an area of about 5,405 square kilometers. Another elephant reserve in north India is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is called the Uttar Pradesh Elephant Reserve. It was notified in the year 2009 and occupies an area of about 744 square kilometers.
Elephant Reserves in Eastern India
Eastern Indian states like Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha are famous for their elephant reserves. Singhbhum Elephant Reserve is located in Jharkhand. It was founded in 2001 and occupies an area of about 4,530 square kilometers. It is known to protect Asiatic elephants of the state. West Bengal`s Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve was approved as an official elephant reserve in 2002 by the Government of West Bengal. It occupies an area of about 414 square kilometers. Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve is located in Odisha. It is also known as `Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve. It was established in 2001 and covers an area of about 3,214 square kilometers.
Other elephant reserves in east India are Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve (West Bengal), South Odisha Elephant Reserve (Odisha), Sambalpur Elephant Reserve (Odisha), Mahanadi Elephant Reserve (Odisha) and Baitarni Elephant Reserve (Odisha).
Elephant Reserves in North-Eastern India
Dihing Patkai Elephant Reserve in Assam is a part of Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary. It was established in the year 2003 and is spread over an area of about 937 square kilometers. Kaziranga Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve is situated in Assam. It was established in the year 2003 and occupies an area of about 3,270 square kilometers. It is home to innumerable elephants, Indian bison, bear and tiger. Kameng Elephant Reserve is one of the most famous elephant reserves in north-eastern India. It is located in West Kameng and East Kameng districts in Arunachal Pradesh. It was established in the year 2002 and occupies an area of about 1,894 square kilometers. It has over 377 elephants and various other species of wildlife. Other elephant reserves in north-eastern India are Sonitpur Elephant Reserve (Assam), Dhansiri-Lungding Elephant Reserve (Assam), Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve (Assam), Garo Hills Elephant Reserve (Meghalaya), Khasi Hills Elephant Reserve (Meghalaya) and South Arunachal Elephant Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh).
Elephant Reserves in Southern India
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the various southern Indian states, where elephant reserves are situated. Mysore Elephant Reserve is situated in Karnataka. It was established in the year 2002 and is spread over an area of about 6,724 square kilometers. Wayanad Elephant Reserve is located in Kerala. It was established in the year 2002 and is spread over an area of about 1,200 square kilometers. Coimbatore Elephant Reserve in Tamil Nadu is governed by the Coimbatore Forest Division. It was established in the year 2003 and occupies an area of about 566 square kilometers. It protects several elephants, birds, reptiles, etc. Other elephant reserves in north-eastern India are Nilgiri Elephant Reserve (Karnataka), Nilambur Elephant Reserve (Kerala), Anamudi Elephant Reserve (Kerala), Periyar Elephant Reserve (Kerala), Srivilliputtur Elephant Reserve (Tamil Nadu) and Rayala Elephant Reserve (Andhra Pradesh).