Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said, the Cabinet has given its approval for the new authority to be set up on similar lines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Launching a new campaign, “Haathi Mere Saathi” to protect elephants, the Minister said in New Delhi on Tuesday that mining projects in Central India are the biggest threat to Elephant corridors especially in the states of Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand.
He emphasised the need to strike a balance between mining projects and safeguarding Elephant corridors. Mr Ramesh noted that wildlife conservation efforts cannot succeed without the active participation of the local communities.
The Minister also expressed concern over the killing of Elephants in rail accidents and ill treatment meted out to the Elephants used in temples. He informed that, all the States have been urged, not to keep elephants in the zoos.
Government had last year declared Elephant as the National Heritage Animal of the country. Our correspondent reports, there are over 26000 elephants in India, out which one third are held in captivity.