Herd of 8 elephants crosses into Kalesar forests, third sighting in 6 months

Gurgaon: A herd of eight elephants was spotted near Kalesar National Park on Sunday, marking the third such sighting in six months. The elephants — spotted near the main motorable road close to the second fire line — included one adult male, three adult females, and four calves.

Officials said the growing trend of elephant movement through the contiguous forest belt spanning Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh showcased the success of conservation efforts in maintaining vital wildlife corridors. The most recent sighting follows a similar episode in May this year when a group of 10 elephants, including calves, made their way from the Uttarakhand foothills through UP's forests into Kalesar.

Earlier this year, in Jan, a smaller group of five elephants was observed in the area, while 2022 saw three elephants traversing the same region.

"These consistent sightings suggest that a regular migration pattern is emerging through this ecological corridor," a forest official said.

Kalesar National Park, stretching across 11,570 acres along the UP-Haryana border, forms part of a larger protected network, including the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary and Simbalbada National Park in Himachal Pradesh. The area's connection with Rajaji National Park through a dense corridor has facilitated seamless wildlife movement of animals.

Officials said the success of these migrations could be attributed to improved water management in the region. "We've created five pucca and 10 kuchcha water bodies, along with two permanent ponds at Gugga and Chikner Firelines. Our focus on maintaining these water sources round the year has encouraged elephants to stay longer," said Lilu Ram, wildlife inspector at Kalesar.

VB Mathur, a former director of Wildlife Institute of India, suggested that the herd likely migrated from Uttarakhand and followed the Yamuna course during water scarcity in the peak of summer. He emphasised the need for proactive management and community engagement in fostering human-wildlife coexistence.

"The forest department must be prepared to manage the situation proactively. At the same time, it is important for local communities to respond with understanding and respect. The presence of elephants should be seen not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to foster coexistence and conservation awareness," he added.

Wildlife expert Sunil Harsana highlighted the significance of uninterrupted forest corridors in facilitating the migration of natural wildlife across state boundaries. "The movement of this elephant herd through the Shivalik division of UP highlights the critical role of uninterrupted forest corridors. These dense green pathways are essential for allowing wildlife to migrate naturally across state boundaries, minimising human-wildlife conflict and ensuring ecological balance. Protecting these corridors is not just about conservation, it's about enabling coexistence," he added.