Team WTI celebrated India’s National Heritage Animal with a series of activities on World Elephant Day 2024. Here are some highlights from around the country:

WTI served as a knowledge partner for the International Conference on Human-Elephant Conflict, hosted by the Karnataka Forest Department in Bengaluru. It was an honour to be recognised for our efforts in Asian Elephant conservation in India by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah.

WTI Founder and ED, Mr. Vivek Menon received the award from the CM of Karnataka | Photo (c) Arinita/WTI

WTI also participated in panel sessions focused on understanding and addressing the drivers of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), safe handling protocols for elephants and humans during conflicts and the role of effective communication in conflict management. 

Media panel session hosted by WTI and Karnataka Forest Dept. | Photo (c) Arinita/WTI

In West Bengal,  SPOAR (Society for Protecting Ophiofauna and Animal Rights) in partnership with WTI, the West Bengal and Assam Forest Departments and Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies hosted a bike rally aimed at raising awareness about the Right of Passage for elephants. A group of 10 bikers and 2 four-wheel drivers embarked on their journey from Mechi River near Kalabari on the Indo-Nepal border. The route covered all 13 elephant corridors in Northern West Bengal and concluded at Raimona National Park in Assam.

The bikers flagged off the rally from Kalabari in West Bengal | Photo (c) Tridev

Additionally, we hosted ELE-Fiesta’24 in collaboration with the SNAP Foundation, the West Bengal Forest Department, and the Thin Green Line Foundation, across Jalpaiguri, Gorumara, and Alipurduar. The event comprised an elephant awareness rally, symposiums on conservation strategies, and community-based competitions, followed by Independence Day celebrations. These activities aim to engage the local community and promote sustainable conservation practices.

Elephant awareness rally organised as part of Ele Fiesta 2024 | Photo (c) Tridev

Our team in Assam participated in an event hosted by WWF India at Raimona National Park. The event was attended by Mr. Sumon Mohapatra, IFS, Additional PCCF cum CHD, Forests, BTC, the DFO of Kachugaon, the four Range Officers of Raimona NP; and EDC members.

World Elephant Day celebration at Raimona National Park | Photo (c) B.Sutradhar

A street play on human-elephant coexistence was organised in collaboration with the  Assam Forest Department at three locations in the Sadiya region: Chapakhowa town, 8th Mile, and Ghurmura village. The play was written and performed by young volunteers from the Art for Nature group, and aimed to promote wildlife awareness through art.

Street play on Human-elephant co-existence in Ghurmura village, Assam | Photo (c) Deepankar/WTI

Our Green Corridor Champions (GCC), located across crucial elephant corridors in the country, organised a series of public awareness and sensitisation programs in partnership with state forest departments. These activities included art and essay writing competitions, film screenings, and community engagement sessions.

Art competition hosted for school children in Chilla Motichur Corridor| Photo (c) Taukeer Alam

With the support of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., WTI, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Forest Department and the Dombe Youth and Cultural Society, organised a football match in Emangre village, located in the Baghmara subdivision of South Garo Hills district. The event drew over 500 local attendees, who showed their commitment to biodiversity conservation in the area.

Football match hosted in Emangre village| Photo (c) Balsreng/WTI