NEW DELHI: There is a very sacred relationship between nature and humanity. Elephant is the National Heritage Animal of India. The forests and green areas of Elephant Reserves are very effective carbon sinks. Therefore, all of us will be benefited by the conservation of elephants and it will also help in facing the challenges of climate change.
This was stated by President Droupadi Murmu, while inaugurating the Gaj Utsav-2023 at the Kaziranga National Park on April 7.
The President said that the ‘Human-Elephant Conflict’ has been an issue for centuries. And when we analyse this conflict, it is found that a barrier created in the natural habitat or movement of elephants is the root cause. Therefore, the responsibility of this conflict lies with the human society. She noted that protecting elephants, conserving their natural habitats and keeping elephant corridors free from obstruction are the main objectives of Project Elephant.
The President said that Kaziranga and Manas National Parks of Assam are invaluable heritage not only of India but of the whole world. That is why these have been given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO. She noted that Assam has the second largest population of wild elephants in the country. Therefore Kaziranga is a very apt place for organising the Gaj-Utsav. She emphasized that for the success of Project Elephant and Gaj-Utsav, all the stakeholders would have to move forward together.
