**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 29, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) addressed the status of the All India Synchronized Elephant Estimation. As of July 21, 2025, data collection for Phase I has been completed across all regions, including the Northeastern States. This initiative, a collaboration between the MoEFCC, the Wildlife Institute of India, and State Forest Departments, commenced in 2022-23. Estimation reports are made public upon completion. The question specifically inquired about the completion of Phase I in the Northeastern States, the detailed findings thereof, and the proposed timeline and details for Phase II in other regions. The Ministry's response indicates that data collection is complete across all regions, suggesting that Phase II is either underway or completed, with reports being made public as they become available. Further specifics regarding detailed findings and timelines would be available in the published estimation reports. Contact information for further inquiries can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Key Entities Referenced
Elephant Census: A survey to estimate the population of elephants.
Northeastern States: A region of India consisting of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
PhaseII: The second phase of the Elephant Census.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and conservation.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Wildlife Institute of India: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, focused on wildlife research and management.
State Forest Departments: Government agencies in each state responsible for managing forests.
All India Synchronized Elephant Estimation: A nationwide initiative to estimate the elephant population across India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 29
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Phase-I of Elephant Census
29. MR PATHAN YUSUF:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Phase-I of the synchronized elephant census completed in the
Northeastern States;
(b) if so, the detailed findings thereof;
(c) whether any timeline for Phase-II of such census has been proposed in other regions;
and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration
with the Wildlife Institute of India and the State Forest Departments, has
initiated the “All India Synchronized Elephant Estimation” in 2022–23. The
data collection has been completed across all regions and all such estimation
reports are made public after their completion.
***