Haridwar Kumbh 2027: Uttarakhand's Radio-Collaring Initiative to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict
As part of preparations for the 2027 Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand Forest Department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has launched a radio-collaring project for wild elephants to enable real-time monitoring of their movements. Under this initiative, a collar equipped with a GPS/radio transmitter will be fitted around the neck of the herd's lead elephant, allowing the movement of the entire herd to be tracked. The objective is to reduce human-elephant conflict, ensure the safety of pilgrims, and safely divert elephants back towards the forest. The project is being jointly conducted by the Uttarakhand Forest Department and WII, and its implementation will require approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
As part of preparations for the 2027 Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has launched a radio-collaring project for wild elephants in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The aim is to ensure the safety of both pilgrims and wildlife through real-time tracking of elephant movements. This initiative marks a significant step towards the scientific management of human-wildlife conflict in India.
What is radio-collaring and how does it work?
Radio-collaring is a wildlife monitoring technique in which a collar equipped with a GPS or radio transmitter is fitted around an animal's neck. This device provides real-time information regarding the animal's location, movement, and behavior. In this project, the collar will be fitted on the elephant leading the herd, as the entire herd typically follows the leader. This will enable effective tracking of the herd's movements.
Project Objective and Significance
Haridwar is situated near the Rajaji–Corbett Elephant Corridor, an area witnessing regular elephant movement. The presence of lakhs of devotees during massive religious gatherings, such as the Kumbh Mela, increases the risk of human-elephant conflict. Through radio-collaring, the Forest Department will be able to issue timely warnings, mobilize relief teams, and safely divert elephants back towards the forest. This will help minimize both loss of human life and harm to wildlife.
Conservation and Administrative Aspects
The Uttarakhand Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, are collaborating on this project. The proposal has been submitted to the State Wildlife Board and the State-level Tiger Steering Committee. Final implementation requires approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), as adherence to scientific and technical standards is mandatory for the safe collaring of wild elephants.
Significance for the UPSC Examination
Questions related to radio-collaring, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), elephant corridors, human-wildlife conflict, Rajaji National Park, and wildlife conservation may be asked in the UPSC Preliminary Examination. In the Main Examination (GS Paper-III), this initiative can be cited as an example in the context of biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, technology-based conservation measures, disaster and crowd management, and sustainable development.
