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Static project

From the time it was formed during 1991-92, Project Elephant has not done much by way of conserving either the elephant or its habitat. At least one elephant is still killed every day, according to the psc report. There has not been any significant rise in elephant population.

Habitat loss and fragmentation of migration corridors is still rampant. The project has now become notorious for its lethargic progress. In 1993-94, it spent Rs 5.69 crore. The amount dropped to Rs 4.80 crore the following year, and last year it declined further to Rs 3.14 crore. When asked for further details by the psc on the activity of Project Elephant, the ministry failed to come up with any explanation, save some statistics that showed that the population of elephants has increased from 23,000 in 1989 to 25,000 in 1993. Even this, incidentally, has been labelled by the committee as "not realistic.'

The ministry's note to the committee is silent on the progress of Project Elephant in the southern states. There has been no mention of the amount of land acquired for habitat conservation and restoration or which indigenous plant species have been planted in such areas. When asked to comment on the flak the project is attracting, Vinod Rishi, in-charge of Project Elephant, said, "I assure you the action taken report will give a very positive reply to all this criticism.'

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