Bhubaneshwar, 18^th July, 2023: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) initiates Gaj Utsav in Odisha with a planning meeting organized with stakeholders from the forest department, representatives of judiciary, local NGOs and public representatives at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

Since its inception in 2018, the highly acclaimed ‘Gaj Utsav’, a flagship campaign on elephants by Wildlife Trust of India, has been making waves across elephant range states. The campaign kick-started with a remarkable four-day event, ‘Gaj Mahotsav,’ held in Delhi in 2018, and quickly became India’s largest celebration dedicated to elephants, garnering immense support and enthusiasm.

In 2022, the campaign reached new heights with ‘Gajotsavam’ in Kerala, a multidisciplinary tribute to India’s National Heritage Animal amidst the enchanting realm of “God’s own country.” Throughout the year, diverse events held in key cities of Kerala facilitated impactful collaborations among policymakers, industrialists, distinguished wildlife conservationists, social media influencers, and prominent personalities from the entertainment and arts industry, school children, and members of civil society. Together, they forged a unified mandate for the preservation of Kerala’s wild elephant populations, engaging approximately 50,000 individuals.

Sajan John briefing the 2022 Gajotsavam, held in key cities of Kerala which facilitated impactful collaborations among policymakers, industrialists, distinguished wildlife conservationists, social media influencers, artists, etc. | Photo by Madhumay Mallik

Buoyed by this resounding success, the ‘Gaj Utsav’ now eagerly ventures into Odisha, furthering its mission to protect elephants and promote conservation. The team is thrilled to bring this grand campaign to Odisha, and with the esteemed presence of government representatives, the vision is to make a significant impact in the realm of elephant conservation.

On July 18th, a planning meeting for the Gaj Utsav in Odisha was convened at Bhubaneswar. The meeting was presided over by Shri S K Popli, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, along with Dr. Saroj Pattnaik, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, and Prof. BC Choudhury, Senior Advisor of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). In attendance were representatives from the Forest Department, media, National Law University, and Shrimati Nandini Sathpathy Memorial Trust (SNSMT). Actionable Strategies were formatted for Elephant Conservation, in Odisha to mobilise a collaborative effort to safeguard elephants and communities. Recognizing the vital role of media in shaping public perception, the aim is to engage media representatives through technical and experience sharing workshops, fostering responsible reporting and highlighting the root causes of incidents, especially those of Human-elephant conflict whilst. encouraging more investigative reporting.

A planning meeting for the Gaj Utsav in Odisha was convened at Bhubaneswar on July 18th | Photo by Madhumay Mallik

The campaign also will make efforts to engage with Linear Infrastructure agencies to address elephant conservation concerns collectively with technical support from NGOs, researchers, and the Forest Department Collaboration with bar associations and the bar council to foster awareness and cooperation in addressing legal challenges concerning elephants, will also be a crucial component of the campaign.

This comprehensive approach underscores the commitment of all stakeholders, including media, LI agencies, legal professionals, and legislators, to safeguarding both elephants and the communities they coexist with. By working together, a sustainable future for these magnificent creatures and the ecosystems they inhabit, can be envisioned.

About ‘Gaj Utsav’

‘Gaj Utsav’ is an esteemed campaign dedicated to elephant conservation, organized across various elephant range states in India since 2018. It aims to raise awareness, foster collaboration, and build a unified mandate to protect and preserve the country’s wild elephant populations.

About Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a non-profit conservation organisation, committed to urgent action that works towards the protection of India’s wildlife. Its mission is to conserve nature, especially endangered species and threatened habitats, in partnership with communities and governments. The core team includes scientists, field biologists, conservation managers, veterinarians, lawyers, finance, business management and communication specialists, who operate diverse conservation projects across India.  In 20 years, WTI has grown to be one of India’s premier wildlife NGOs.

For any queries, please contact:

Madhumay Mallik

Assistant Manager (Communications)

madhumay@wti.org.in / +91-9874426359