Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Awards | Miscellaneous
Why in News?
Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026 was conferred on the National Celebrations on World Elephant Day 2026
- Aim - To honour recognising exemplary frontline service and outstanding contributions to Asian elephant conservation and management.
- Instituted by - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2022 during the 30-year commemoration of Project Elephant (launched in 1992).
- Purpose - To honor field officers, frontline forest staff, mahouts, captive elephant owners, and indigenous communities working directly in elephant protection and rescue.
- Presentation - Conferred annually as part of national World Elephant Day celebrations (August 12).
Recent Highlights (2026 Edition) Conferment
- Key Awardees – 7 mahouts from Jaldapara National Park (West Bengal) were honoured for rescuing stranded captive elephants during floods and guiding displaced wild rhinos to safety.
- Key Policy Launches - The event featured the launch of
- Regional Action Plan to address human-elephant conflict in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, as well as the
- Release of the publication "30 Giant Steps".
- The Plan focuses on
- Habitat connectivity,
- Corridor conservation,
- Early-warning systems,
- Conflict mitigation infrastructure,
- Habitat restoration,
- Community participation,
- Research and monitoring,
- Rapid response mechanisms,
- Capacity building and
- Strengthened interstate coordination.
33 Elephant Reserves, 150 scientifically identified elephant corridors and nearly 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephant population, India continues to play a leading role in elephant conservation.
Project Elephant
- Launched in - 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Project Elephant has completed more than 3 decades of dedicated efforts towards protecting elephants, their habitats and corridors, addressing HEC and ensuring the welfare of captive elephants.
Reference
PIB | Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026
