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Elephants are keystone species.
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There are three subspecies of Asian elephant :
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Indian,
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Sumatran
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Sri Lankan
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The Indian elephant has the widest range and accounts for the majority of the remaining elephants on the continent.
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Conservation Status of Indian Elephants:
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Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
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IUCN Red List: Endangered
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CITES: Appendix I
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India is home to 50% of the Asian Elephant population, and according to the 2017 elephant census, there are 27,312 elephants in the country, marking a decrease of nearly 3,000 elephants from the 2012 census.
India’s Initiatives for Conservation of Elephants:
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Gaj Yatra: A nationwide campaign to protect elephants, was launched on the occasion of World Elephant Day in 2017.
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Project Elephant: It is a centrally sponsored scheme which was launched in 1992.