Archive · 2 Sep 2026
WII Begins Three-Year Study as MP Elephant Population Nears 100
Madhya Pradesh is home to nearly 100 elephants.
About 60 to 70 of them live in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Elephants are also being seen in Shahdol, Sidhi and Mandla.
Some elephants move into villages and fields, which can be dangerous for people.
The Wildlife Institute of India has started a three-year study.
Scientists will map the paths elephants use, called corridors.
They will also find places where elephants and people are most likely to come into conflict.
The study may help officials protect elephants and villagers.
Experts hope this will support safer coexistence between people and elephants.
Madhya Pradesh has nearly 97 elephants, including about 60–70 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
The Wildlife Institute of India has begun a three-year study to reduce human-elephant conflict.
Researchers will identify elephant corridors and conflict hotspots in Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Tiger Reserve.
Elephants are increasingly moving through Shahdol, Sidhi, Mandla and Bandhavgarh areas, sometimes entering villages and fields.
Recent incidents in Shahdol and near Bandhavgarh involved wild elephants killing villagers, according to the report.
- Who
- The Wildlife Institute of India, Madhya Pradesh forest officials and elephants in eastern Madhya Pradesh.
- What
- A three-year study has begun to identify elephant corridors, habitat use and human-elephant conflict hotspots.
- When
- The study has recently begun; the report also refers to incidents in the last few years and in May 2025.
- Where
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Sanjay Tiger Reserve and surrounding areas including Shahdol, Sidhi and Mandla.
- Why
- To reduce human-elephant conflict and develop conservation and coexistence measures.
- Estimated elephant population
- Madhya Pradesh has nearly 97 elephants.
- Bandhavgarh population
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has approximately 60–70 elephants; another statement gives the figure as 70.
- Study duration
- Three years.
- Study locations
- The Eco Centre Tala area of Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Tiger Reserve in Sidhi.
- Research focus
- Elephant corridors, habitat utilisation and conflict hotspots.
- Areas reporting conflict
- Bandhavgarh, Sidhi, Mandla and Shahdol.
- Reported fatalities
- The report says three villagers were killed by two wild elephants in Shahdol in May 2025, while another incident near Bandhavgarh involved three wild elephants killing two people.