Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh said on World Elephant Day today that nearly 60 percent of the world’s wild Asian elephants live in India, making the country a living symbol of the elephant’s ecological heritage.

In a social media post, Mr Singh said that India is home to one of the richest and most diverse landscapes on Earth. He highlighted that the country has 33 elephant reserves across 14 states protecting critical habitats and conserving migration routes. He added that wild Asian elephants embody majestic beauty, hold deep religious and cultural significance.

The Minister described Elephants as ecosystem engineer, saying that as they roam, they disperse seeds over long distances, helping new plants to grow and maintaining ecological balance. Mr Singh urged the citizens to unite to protect and preserve these gentle giants.