Understanding Project Elephant in India

The question asks about the launch year of ‘Project Elephant’ by the Government of India. This is a significant conservation initiative aimed at protecting the Asian elephant, its habitat, and corridors.

Project Elephant is centrally sponsored scheme launched in February 1992. It is implemented in 16 states and union territories where elephants are found.

The main objectives of Project Elephant include:

• Protection of elephants, their habitat, and corridors.
• Addressing issues of man-animal conflict.
• Welfare of captive elephants.

Considering the information about the launch year, we can look at the given options:

• 1972
• 1992
• 1962
• 1982

Based on the historical records of wildlife conservation projects in India, Project Elephant was indeed launched in the year 1992.

Launch Year of Project Elephant

The Government of India launched Project Elephant specifically in the year 1992. This makes the second option, 1992, the correct answer to the question about the launch year of Project Elephant.

Other years listed in the options correspond to different significant events or no major pan-India elephant conservation project of this scale:

• 1972 is notably the year the Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in India, and also the year Project Tiger was launched.
• 1962 and 1982 do not correspond to the launch of Project Elephant.

Therefore, to protect elephants and their habitats across India, the initiative known as Project Elephant began its operations in 1992.

Revision Table: Key Indian Conservation Projects

Additional Information on Elephant Conservation

Project Elephant operates on the principle that conservation efforts should be community-based and integrated with local livelihoods. It provides financial and technical support to states for managing their wild elephant populations. The project focuses on habitat improvement, mitigation of human-elephant conflict, ex-gratia payments for damage caused by elephants, veterinary care for elephants, and conservation awareness.

India holds a significant portion of the world's wild Asian elephant population. The success of Project Elephant is crucial for the long-term survival of this majestic species.