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Ensure zero human death in elephant attacks: Jharkhand CM asks officials

February 15, 2026 4 min read Environment & Ecology Social Issues GS III (Environment Biodiversity & Conservation)
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What Happened

  • Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed officials to ensure "not even a single death" occurs from elephant attacks in the state, issuing instructions to the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department.
  • Government data reveals that man-elephant conflicts in Jharkhand have killed 474 people since the 2019-20 fiscal year, making it the second-highest state for such fatalities after Odisha (624 deaths).
  • The CM directed officials to complete compensation payments to victims' families within 12 days of incidents, significantly tightening the disbursement timeline.
  • Six "kumki" (trained) elephants are being procured to assist in herding and monitoring wild elephant herds in conflict-prone zones.
  • Officials were ordered to map all elephant corridors within the state and develop trained village-level elephant rescue teams in affected areas.

Static Topic Bridges

Project Elephant and Elephant Corridors

Project Elephant, launched by the Government of India in 1991-92 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, provides financial and technical support to elephant range states for protection of elephants, their habitats, and corridors. The project addresses human-animal conflict and promotes the welfare of captive elephants. India has identified 150 elephant corridors across 15 states, a significant increase from 88 corridors documented in 2010.

  • Launched: 1991-92 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
  • Currently implemented in 22 States/Union Territories, including Jharkhand
  • India has 33 Elephant Reserves across the country
  • Elephant corridors: 150 identified and ground-validated (up from 88 in 2010); these are strips of land enabling elephant movement between fragmented habitats
  • Project Elephant objectives: habitat protection, scientific management of elephant populations, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and welfare of captive elephants

Connection to this news: Jharkhand's directive to map all elephant corridors aligns with Project Elephant's mandate, as corridor disruption is a primary driver of human-elephant conflict — elephants enter human settlements when traditional migration routes are blocked by development.

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) holds exceptional legal and cultural status in India. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing the highest level of domestic protection. Internationally, it is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits commercial trade.

  • IUCN Status: Endangered (population declining)
  • WPA, 1972: Schedule I (highest protection; hunting or trade is a cognizable, non-bailable offence)
  • CITES: Appendix I (international commercial trade prohibited)
  • India designated the elephant as the National Heritage Animal in 2010
  • India's elephant population: approximately 29,964 (Elephant Census, 2017) — about 60% of Asia's wild elephant population
  • Major range states: Karnataka (highest population), followed by Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
  • Jharkhand elephant population: approximately 700 elephants, primarily in Singhbhum, Palamu, and Hazaribagh regions

Connection to this news: The high mortality figure of 474 human deaths highlights a critical implementation gap between the elephant's legal protection status and on-ground coexistence measures, particularly in states where elephant habitats overlap with dense human settlements.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategies

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) represents one of the most pressing conservation challenges globally. India has developed a multi-layered approach combining technology, community engagement, and compensation mechanisms to address HWC, particularly with elephants, tigers, and leopards.

  • MoEFCC issued HWC Advisory (2021): recommends early warning systems, dedicated rapid response teams, and barrier methods (solar-powered electric fences, trenches, bio-fencing)
  • Kumki elephants: trained elephants used to drive wild herds away from human settlements; Jharkhand is procuring 6 kumki elephants
  • SMS/WhatsApp-based early warning systems deployed in several states to alert villagers of approaching elephant herds
  • Compensation mechanisms: vary by state; ex-gratia payment for death (ranges from Rs 5-10 lakh depending on state), crop damage, and property destruction
  • National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031): specifically addresses HWC as a priority area

Connection to this news: The Jharkhand CM's directive — including the 12-day compensation timeline, kumki elephant deployment, and village-level rescue teams — represents a comprehensive implementation of nationally recommended HWC mitigation strategies.

Key Facts & Data

  • Human deaths from elephant conflict in Jharkhand: 474 since 2019-20 fiscal
  • India-wide elephant conflict deaths: over 2,500 in 5 years (government data)
  • Jharkhand ranks second nationally for elephant conflict fatalities (after Odisha with 624)
  • Elephant corridors in India: 150 identified across 15 states
  • India's elephant population: approximately 29,964 (2017 census) — 60% of Asia's wild elephants
  • Kumki elephants being procured for Jharkhand: 6
  • Compensation disbursement deadline set by CM: 12 days
  • Project Elephant: operational since 1991-92, covers 22 states/UTs