Which Animal is Called the National Heritage Animal of India?

Did you know there are more than 8 million animal species on our planet? Animals are a big part of our world's history and beauty. We share Earth with everything from tiny insects to giant mammals. Some animals are truly unique. 

For example, a blue whale's heart is so large that a person could swim through its arteries. Also, just like human fingerprints, no two tigers have the same stripe pattern.

Animals often have special nicknames, too. For instance, dogs are called man's best friend, and camels are known as the ship of the desert.

Do you know which majestic animal is called the National Heritage Animal of India? This animal stands for power, intelligence, and a rich cultural history. In this article, we will explore its amazing life, why it is protected, and the important part it plays in Indian traditions.

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Which Is The National Heritage Animal Of India?

Source: Britannica

The Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) became India's National Heritage Animal in 2010. This title is given to a species that represents a country's natural resources and cultural history.

The elephant was chosen to encourage conservation and to highlight its importance throughout India's history.

These large animals mainly live in the tropical forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats, North-East India, and the Himalayan foothills.

They have smaller ears than African elephants, thick grey skin, and long trunks for breathing, smelling, and grabbing things. As herbivores, they spend up to 16 hours a day eating grass, bark, roots, and fruits.

Today, India has about 27,000 to 30,000 wild elephants, which is more than half of all Asiatic elephants. They are called the "Heritage Animal" because they help shape the environment and are seen as a symbol of the nation’s spirit.

Did You Know?

• Elephant herds are led by the oldest and wisest female, known as the Matriarch, rather than a male.
• While their skin is nearly 2.5 cm thick in most places, it is sensitive enough to feel a fly landing on it or sense vibrations through the ground.
• They have the largest brain of any land animal, allowing them to remember water sources and migration routes for decades.
• Because they eat so many seeds and travel long distances, their dung helps plant new trees across the forest.
• Unlike humans, who have two sets of teeth, elephants have six sets of molars in a lifetime; once the last set wears down, they can no longer eat.
• Elephants can smell water from several miles away and often use their tusks to dig for water in dry riverbeds.
• The trunk of an Indian Elephant has one finger-like projection at the tip (African elephants have two), which is strong enough to uproot trees but delicate enough to pick up a single blade of grass.
• They use infrasonic sounds (low-frequency rumbles) to communicate over long distances that are too low for the human ear to hear.

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Why is the Elephant So Important to India?

The elephant is more than just another animal in the forest. It is a "living legend" that has influenced the country's history and environment for thousands of years.

> The Guardian of the Jungle

Elephants are known as Keystone Species. This means they are like the architects of the forest.

• Creating Paths: When they walk through thick jungles, they create clear paths that smaller animals use to move around.
• Finding Water: During droughts, elephants dig holes in dry riverbeds with their tusks. This provides water for themselves and many other thirsty animals.
• Seed Dispersal: They eat massive amounts of fruit and travel long distances. The seeds in their dung grow into new trees, keeping the forest green.

> A Cultural Icon

India's connection to the elephant is deeper than just biology.

i. Spiritual Symbolism

• Lord Ganesha: One of the most loved deities in India, Ganesha, has the head of an elephant, symbolising wisdom and removing obstacles.
• White Elephants: In ancient stories, white elephants were seen as a sign of rain and good luck.

> Historical Power

• The Royal Ride: For centuries, kings and emperors used elephants as symbols of power and for transport during grand processions.

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How Can We Protect Our Heritage Animal?

Source: Earth Dialogue

Even though they are giants, elephants face many challenges today. Protecting them is essential to keep the balance of nature.

What are the main threats?

To understand how to help, we first need to know what is hurting them:

• Habitat Loss: As cities grow, forests get smaller, leaving elephants with less space to live.
• Human-Elephant Conflict: Sometimes elephants enter farms looking for food, which can lead to dangerous situations for both people and animals.

> Important Steps for Conservation

India is working hard to make sure elephants have a safe future through several projects:

i. Project Elephant

Launched in 1992, this government project focuses on:

• Protecting elephant habitats.
• Stopping the illegal trade of ivory.
• Ensuring the welfare of elephants kept in captivity.

> Creating Wildlife Corridors

• What are they? These are narrow strips of forest that connect two larger forest areas.
• Why they matter: They act like "animal highways", allowing elephant families to move safely from one place to another without entering human villages.

> Community Awareness

• Teaching people how to live peacefully near elephant areas.
• Using bright lights or mild chilli fences to keep elephants away from crops without hurting them.

Note: While the Tiger is the National Animal (representing power and agility), the Elephant was chosen as the National Heritage Animal to represent the country's long-standing cultural and spiritual bond with nature.

Conclusion

The Indian Elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal of India by the Government of India (specifically the Ministry of Environment and Forests) in October 2010 for several reasons.

The IUCN lists Indian elephants as endangered because they are heavily poached for their tusks. This status highlights the need for stronger protection and more attention to their shrinking habitats. Therefore, they were named the national heritage animal of India. 

Conservation of these species is vital not only for the environment but also for protecting the history and cultural significance these animals hold. They are considered keystone species that help maintain the health and diversity of forest ecosystems. 

Furthermore, they are worshipped in our Indian culture because their history is connected to Indian mythology, especially Lord Ganesha, who is also known as Gajanan, meaning "One with an elephant face"-the Elephant-faced Lord.

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