7. Karnataka Government had launched ‘Project Elephant’ to save Asian elephants in the state. Find out about this and other such campaigns launched to protect threatened species.
Answer:
‘Project Elephant’ was launched in 1992 and aimed to protect elephants in their natural habitats. Financial support to be used in the conservation efforts was extended to 16 states including Karnataka by the central government.
The main activities of the program are as follows:
- Protect the population of elephants in the country.
- To conserve, protect and restore the natural habitats and viable migratory routes of elephants wherever possible.
- To take strict measures against poaching and illegal hunting activities.
- To ensure that captive elephants are treated properly.
- To ensure proper management of elephants.
- To educate the public and create awareness programs about the welfare of elephants.
- To organise proper veterinary care.
The project continues to this day and has ramped up elephant conservation initiatives in the last few years. It has largely been a success and elephant numbers have increased in Karnataka over the years.
“Project Tiger” was launched in India in 1973 to protect and conserve the Bengal tiger. The project was initiated in response to the alarming decline in tiger populations due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
Key objectives of “Project Tiger”:
- To preserve the natural habitat of the tiger and restore the damages already done to the habitat.
- Efforts to reduce the conflict between tigers and human communities.
- Strict anti-poaching measures such as patrol and surveillance teams to prevent illegal hunting of tigers.
- Creation of scientific research and monitoring programs to gather data on tiger populations, their movements, breeding habits and the health of their habitats.
- Involve local communities in conservation efforts.
- Create awareness programs about the importance of conservation of this endangered species.
The project was a huge success and tiger numbers drastically increased because of the conservation activities.
Operation Olivia:
Olive Ridley Turtles are found in the coastal regions of Odisha in India. They are an endangered species and hence conservations efforts were launched. Operation Olivia is conducted annually by the Indian Coast Guard to protect Olive Ridley Turtles. This operation was much needed because of rising animal attacks, illegal hunting and poaching activities and climate change, due to which the turtle numbers drastically declined.
The following are the objectives of the program:
- Round the clock surveillance using ships and aircraft by the Indian Coast Guard to protect Olive Ridley Turtles as they lay eggs along the coast of Odisha during the months of December – May.
- Protection of hatchlings and their safe release into the sea.
- Prevention of fishing activities in areas frequented by Olive Ridley Turtles.
- Awareness activities to involve the local community in the conservation efforts.
The gradual decrease in illegal human activities and increase in number of healthy baby turtles near the turtle breeding areas tell us that Operation Olivia was a huge success.
“Karnataka Government had launched ‘Project Elephant’ to save Asian elephants in the state. Find out about this and other such campaigns launched to protect threatened species.” – Solved.
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Solutions to Chapter 5 Conservation of Plants and Animals
