Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

News:An Asian Elephant from Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary has been rescued by the forest officials.

Facts:

• Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh with a population of Asian elephants.
• Vegetation:It is covered by southern tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests.

Asian Elephant:

• IUCN Status: Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I 
• Threat: Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.

Initiatives:

• Project Elephant:It was launched by the Government of India in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors.
• Asian Elephant Specialist Group(AsESG):It is an integral part of the Species Survival Commission(SSC) of the IUCN to promote the long-term conservation of Asia’s elephants and wherever possible,the recovery of their populations to viable levels.
• Gaj Yatra:It is a nationwide awareness campaign led by Wildlife Institute of India(WII)  to celebrate elephants and highlight the necessity of securing elephant corridors.