As the first light of the dawn spills softly over the Sal forests of Kalesar National Park and fine mist clings to the undergrowth and the forest stirs to life — bulbuls call from the canopy, langurs leap between branches and somewhere in the distance, the low, hope for resonant rumble of an elephant breaking the morning silence has evolved stronger with the increase and frequent movement of Elephant sightings recently.
At Gugga Pond, near the fire line, a family of elephants movement with unhurried grace — two calves nudging their mothers playfully, an adolescent splashing trunkfuls of water over its back and a towering female standing sentinel has generated thrill and excitement among the wildlife conservationists. As the sun climbs higher, its light glints off their wet hides, turning them a rich bronze against the green backdrop of the Shivalik foothills.
For the people of Haryana, this is more than just a wildlife sighting. It is a symbol of resurgence — a living testament that with the right mix of science, policy, and community effort, elephants, once only occasional visitors to these forests, are now finding their way back home.
Why World Elephant Day Matters for Haryana
Every year, World Elephant Day on 12th August serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect one of the planet’s most iconic and intelligent species. For Haryana in 2025, it carries special significance. The Day also reminds us of the urgent need to protect one of the planet’s most iconic and gentle giants — the elephant. This year, the celebration carries special significance for Haryana State of India, as Kalesar National Park in Yamunanagar has emerged as an increasingly important refuge and corridor for wild elephants within the Shivalik foothills.
In recent months, Kalesar has witnessed remarkable elephant activity, including the largest recorded herd to reach the park — 10 elephants, including calves, in May 2025, having trekked nearly 100 km from Rajaji National Park. Earlier sightings included a 5-member family in December 2024 and a majestic male tusker photographed on 21 June 2025.
The Significance of Elephant Conservation
Elephants are keystone species — their movements open up forest clearings, disperse seeds over large distances, and create waterholes that benefit countless other species. In Indian culture, they are symbols of wisdom, strength, and prosperity, revered since ancient times and embodied in Lord Ganesha. Conserving elephants means safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance, and strengthening climate resilience of forest landscapes.
Today, Asian elephants face habitat loss, poaching, and increasing human-wildlife conflict. Their conservation is therefore not just about saving a species, but about protecting entire ecosystems and cultural heritage. Kalesar National Park, nestled in Yamunanagar district, has emerged as an increasingly important refuge and corridor for wild elephants within the Terai Arc Landscape. In the past three years alone, the park has recorded unprecedented elephant activity - from smaller herds of three or five individuals to the largest recorded group yet, ten elephants including calves, trekking nearly 100 kilometres from Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand in May 2025.
These sightings are not isolated events but part of a larger conservation story — one that ties Haryana’s forests into a network of protected areas across northern India, providing safe passage to elephants that must navigate a world increasingly fragmented by human activity.
Elephants: Architects of the Forest, Symbols of Culture
Elephants are more than just charismatic megafauna. They are keystone species, meaning their presence and behaviour shape entire ecosystems.
In Indian culture, elephants are revered as symbols of wisdom, strength, and prosperity. They have been depicted in temple carvings, royal processions, and folklore for centuries, with the image of Lord Ganesha embodying good fortune and the removal of obstacles.
Yet, despite this deep cultural reverence, the Asian elephant is endangered, facing threats from habitat loss, poaching, and increasing human-wildlife conflict. Globally, their numbers have declined sharply; in India, which shelters over 60 per cent of the global wild population, safeguarding elephants is not just an ecological responsibility but also a cultural one.
A Brief History of Elephants in Kalesar
Long before the modern boundaries of Kalesar National Park were drawn, elephants roamed freely across the Shivalik foothills, moving between what are now the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Historical travelogues from the 17th century — such as those by French traveller Baptist Tavernier — mention sightings of elephants in these very forests. But over the centuries, deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlement gradually shrank and fragmented their range. By the late 20th century, elephants had become rare visitors to Haryana, their movements largely confined to sporadic seasonal forays from Rajaji National Park or Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary.
It wasn’t until the past decade — with focused habitat restoration, better water management, and strengthened corridor protection — that a steady return began. Today, sightings in Kalesar are not just chance events; they are part of a growing pattern suggesting the park is reclaiming its place in the elephants’ migratory map.
India’s Elephant Corridors: Lifelines of the Landscape
India’s wild elephant population, estimated at over 27,000 individuals, depends heavily on uninterrupted movement between habitats. Elephants are seasonal nomads, and their survival hinges on corridors — natural pathways that connect forests and allow safe passage in search of food, water, and mates.
The Elephant Task Force report (2010) originally identified 88 corridors across the country. Subsequent surveys by the Wildlife Trust of India and other bodies have raised that number to 150 corridors spanning 15 states, with West Bengal, Assam and Uttarakhand having the highest counts.
These corridors do more than help elephants — they maintain genetic diversity, reduce conflict by guiding elephants away from densely populated areas and benefit countless other species. The Rajaji-Kalesar corridor is one such lifeline, linking the Terai Arc’s protected areas across three States.
Kalesar’s Ecological Setting and Role in the Terai Arc Landscape
Spread over 11,570 acres and contiguous with the 13,209-acre Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, the park forms a critical node in the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) — a 49,500 sqkm network of forests stretching from Uttarakhand through Nepal into Bihar. TAL is one of the last strongholds for both tigers and elephants in northern India.
Kalesar’s Sal-dominated forests are interspersed with Khair, Shisham, and grassland patches — prime forage for elephants. Water availability is another key draw: the park boasts six main ponds (two natural, four maintained with tubewells) and several smaller seasonal water bodies, supported by streams like the Sukhrav River. The landscape’s mixed terrain —gentle foothills, riverine tracts and open meadows — offers not only grazing and browsing options but also safe resting sites away from human disturbance. These conditions make Kalesar not just a stopover but potentially a seasonal home.
Recent Sightings and Elephant Movements (2022-2025)
The recent appearance of this majestic tusker, alongside earlier migrations, underscores Kalesar’s growing importance as a thriving habitat and corridor for elephant populations.
Historical Context and Recent Highlights
Elephants have intermittently roamed Kalesar for centuries, with historical accounts from travelers like Baptist Tavernier noting their presence in the 17th century. However, their regular visits have gained momentum in recent years. The arrival of a five-member elephant family — comprising a male, two females, and two calves — in mid-December 2024 was a significant milestone, as reported by the Forest & Wildlife Department. This group has been spotted multiple times since, hinting at Kalesar’s potential as a secondary home. The latest excitement came on June 21, 2025, when a male tusker was captured on camera, delighting wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike.
A major event earlier this year saw a herd of 10 elephants, including calves, trek approximately 100 kilometres from Rajaji through Uttar Pradesh’s Shivalik division to reach Kalesar in May 2025. This marks the largest recorded herd to undertake this journey, showcasing the vitality of the forest corridor connecting these parks. Smaller groups, such as a trio in 2022 and a pair in February 2023, have also been documented, reflecting elephants’ remarkable ability to follow age-old migration routes.
Male tusker spotted on June 21, 2025, traversing a forest path in Kalesar National Park.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) researchers, working with the Haryana Forest Department, has mapped these movements, confirming the corridor’s functionality. The pattern is clear — elephants are now spending more time in Kalesar, with herds lingering for weeks rather than days.
Management Interventions: Building a Haven for Elephants
The resurgence of elephants in Kalesar is no accident. It is the result of deliberate, multi-pronged management strategies implemented over the past decade for Habitat Enrichment — Native species preservation, grassland restoration, and removal of invasives; Water Security —Year-round maintenance of major ponds and seasonal water bodies; Safe Passage —Mapping routes and planning infrastructure adjustments like wildlife overpasses; Conflict Mitigation — Compensation schemes, awareness drives, and trained response teams.
While elephants bring ecological and cultural benefits, their growing presence also poses challenges to nearby communities. There have also been incidents in sugarcane fields in nearby villages, which also are witness to night-time raids from a small herd.
Kalesar’s forests are home to leopards, sambar deer, wild boar, and over 200 bird species. In 2023, a tiger was photographed here for the first time in over 110 years — a powerful indicator of ecological revival. Though main challenges are habitat fragmentation due to development pressures, infrastructure barriers without wildlife-friendly design, climate change affecting vegetation and water sources. Poaching Risks require constant vigilance. Forest officers, scientists, and farmers alike describe the elephants’ return as a turning point —proof that habitat restoration and community trust-building can reverse decades of decline. For Kalesar to become a permanent elephant stronghold, Haryana must secure corridors, adapt infrastructure, deepen community partnerships and invest in long-term monitoring.
While elephants enrich Kalesar’s biodiversity, their growing presence also requires careful conflict management. Haryana’s approach — blending science, community involvement, and habitat improvement — offers a model for other States. The elephants’ growing affinity for Kalesar is a testament to nature’s resilience and a clarion call for human stewardship. With dedicated efforts, this park could set a benchmark for coexistence and conservation in India’s fragmented landscapes.
As we mark World Elephant Day 2025, Kalesar’s story shows that with the right policies, restored corridors and people’s participation, India can ensure a future where elephants roam free, ecosystems thrive and human communities coexist in harmony with nature.
The Writer is Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana and Former Country Representative, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).