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The estimated population of elephants in the country has shown an increase from 25, 877 in 1997 to 26,413 in 2002 when the last census was carried out.
Elephants have been included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which prohibits their hunting and also trade in ivory. Export of ivory from the country is also banned. India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which prohibits international trade in ivory and other elephant products. Government of India provides financial assistance under Project Elephant to major elephant bearing states in the country for protection of elephants and their habitats and also for mitigating human-elephant conflict. An amount of Rs. 13.34 Crore was released under the Project during 2004-05. 25 Elephant Reserves have been notified in the country for the systematic and focused management of elephants. Government of India has also empowered the C.B.I under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute the wildlife offenders.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests Shri Namo Narain Meena in a written reply to Member of Parliament, Shri P. K. Maheshwari in Rajya Sabha today.
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