How Many Elephant Reserves in India in 2026?
India has 33 elephant reserves in 2026, spread over 14 states and covering about 80,777 sq km. The newest (33rd) is the Terai Elephant Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, the largest is Singhbhum in Jharkhand and the smallest is Singphan in Nagaland. Assam and Tamil Nadu have the most (5 each).
Key takeaway for SSC and railway exams: 33 elephant reserves, 14 states, 80,777 sq km. Newest = Terai (UP, 33rd), 32nd = Agasthiyarmalai (Tamil Nadu), 31st = Lemru (Chhattisgarh). Largest = Singhbhum (Jharkhand, 13,440 sq km). Smallest = Singphan (Nagaland, 23.5 sq km). Most reserves = Assam and Tamil Nadu (5 each). Elephants in India (SAIEE 2021-25) = 22,446. Elephant corridors = 150.
Every number below was checked against the Project Elephant atlas Elephant Reserves of India (MoEFCC and WII, Version 2) and the PIB backgrounder for World Elephant Day (12 August 2026), which still gives 33 reserves across 14 states. No 34th reserve had been notified when we re-checked on 23 October 2026. For the other protected-area lists that exams mix with this one, revise our tiger reserves in India 2026 and national parks in India list 2026.
Elephant Reserves in India 2026: Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Answer (as on 23 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Total elephant reserves | 33 |
| States with elephant reserves | 14 |
| Total area | 80,777 sq km (80,776.7 sq km in the atlas table) |
| Newest (33rd) | Terai, Uttar Pradesh (notified December 2022) |
| 32nd | Agasthiyarmalai, Tamil Nadu (2022) |
| 31st | Lemru, Chhattisgarh (2021) |
| Largest | Singhbhum, Jharkhand (13,440 sq km) |
| Smallest | Singphan, Nagaland (23.5 sq km) |
| States with most reserves | Assam and Tamil Nadu (5 each) |
| Scheme | Project Elephant, launched 1992 by MoEFCC |
| Who notifies an elephant reserve | The State Government, with approval of the Project Elephant Steering Committee |
| Wild elephants (SAIEE 2021-25) | 22,446 |
| State with most elephants | Karnataka (6,013) |
| Elephant corridors | 150 (Elephant Corridors of India, 2023) |
| National Heritage Animal | Elephant (declared in 2010) |
| World Elephant Day | 12 August |
State-Wise List of Elephant Reserves in India 2026
Students most often search "elephant reserves in India state wise" and "how many elephant reserves in Assam / Karnataka / Tamil Nadu". The counts below come from the atlas's state-wise table and add up to 33.
| State | Number | Elephant reserves |
|---|---|---|
| Assam | 5 | Chirang-Ripu, Dhansiri-Lungding, Dihing-Patkai, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Anamalai, Coimbatore, Nilgiri, Srivilliputhur, Agasthiyarmalai |
| Kerala | 4 | Anamudi, Nilambur, Periyar, Wayanad |
| Odisha | 3 | Mahanadi, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 2 | Kameng, South Arunachal |
| Chhattisgarh | 2 | Sarguja-Jashpur, Lemru |
| Karnataka | 2 | Mysuru, Dandeli |
| Nagaland | 2 | Intanki, Singphan |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 | Uttar Pradesh ER, Terai |
| West Bengal | 2 | Eastern Dooars, Mayurjharna |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 | Rayala |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Singhbhum |
| Meghalaya | 1 | Garo Hills |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Shivalik |
| Total | 33 |
States with wild elephants but no elephant reserve are a common trap: Tripura (153 elephants in SAIEE 2021-25), for example, has no elephant reserve.
Complete List of 33 Elephant Reserves with Area and Year
Areas are from Table 1 of the atlas; the year is the year of the state notification.
| No. | Elephant reserve | State | Area (sq km) | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayala | Andhra Pradesh | 766.0 | 2003 |
| 2 | Kameng | Arunachal Pradesh | 1,892.0 | 2002 |
| 3 | South Arunachal | Arunachal Pradesh | 1,957.5 | 2008 |
| 4 | Chirang-Ripu | Assam | 2,600.0 | 2003 |
| 5 | Dhansiri-Lungding | Assam | 2,740.0 | 2003 |
| 6 | Dihing-Patkai | Assam | 937.0 | 2003 |
| 7 | Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong | Assam | 3,270.0 | 2003 |
| 8 | Sonitpur | Assam | 1,420.0 | 2003 |
| 9 | Sarguja-Jashpur | Chhattisgarh | 1,143.3 | 2011 |
| 10 | Lemru | Chhattisgarh | 1,995.0 | 2021 |
| 11 | Singhbhum | Jharkhand | 13,440.0 | 2001 |
| 12 | Dandeli | Karnataka | 2,321.0 | 2015 |
| 13 | Mysuru | Karnataka | 8,055.9 | 2002 |
| 14 | Anamudi | Kerala | 3,728.0 | 2002 |
| 15 | Nilambur | Kerala | 1,419.0 | 2002 |
| 16 | Periyar | Kerala | 3,742.0 | 2002 |
| 17 | Wayanad | Kerala | 1,200.0 | 2002 |
| 18 | Garo Hills | Meghalaya | 3,500.0 | 2001 |
| 19 | Intanki | Nagaland | 202.0 | 2005 |
| 20 | Singphan | Nagaland | 23.5 | 2018 |
| 21 | Mahanadi | Odisha | 1,038.3 | 2002 |
| 22 | Mayurbhanj | Odisha | 3,213.8 | 2001 |
| 23 | Sambalpur | Odisha | 426.9 | 2002 |
| 24 | Anamalai | Tamil Nadu | 1,457.2 | 2003 |
| 25 | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | 565.5 | 2003 |
| 26 | Nilgiri | Tamil Nadu | 4,662.4 | 2003 |
| 27 | Srivilliputhur | Tamil Nadu | 1,249.1 | 2003 |
| 28 | Agasthiyarmalai | Tamil Nadu | 1,197.5 | 2022 |
| 29 | Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh | 744.0 | 2009 |
| 30 | Terai | Uttar Pradesh | 3,072.3 | 2022 |
| 31 | Shivalik | Uttarakhand | 5,406.0 | 2002 |
| 32 | Eastern Dooars | West Bengal | 977.5 | 2002 |
| 33 | Mayurjharna | West Bengal | 414.0 | 2002 |
| Total | 14 states | 80,776.7 |
The serial numbers above follow the atlas's alphabetical-by-state order, not the order of notification. So "Rayala is the 1st elephant reserve" is wrong; the 31st, 32nd and 33rd labels are used for the three newest reserves only.
Newest Elephant Reserve in India 2026 (Latest Additions)
Three reserves were added in the last few years, taking the total from 30 to 33:
| Order | Elephant reserve | State | Area | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31st | Lemru | Chhattisgarh | 1,995.48 sq km | 7 October 2021 |
| 32nd | Agasthiyarmalai | Tamil Nadu | 1,197.48 sq km | August 2022 |
| 33rd | Terai | Uttar Pradesh | 3,072.35 sq km | 29 December 2022 |
- Terai Elephant Reserve lies in the Dudhwa-Pilibhit landscape along the India-Nepal border and covers parts of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Katarniaghat and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. It protects elephants that move between India and Nepal.
- Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve is in the southern Western Ghats (Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari), overlapping the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
- Lemru Elephant Reserve is in the Korba and Surguja forests of north Chhattisgarh.
Older guides and some apps still say "32 elephant reserves" or "30 elephant reserves". Both are outdated; use 33 for 2026 exams.
Largest and Smallest Elephant Reserve in India
| Rank | Largest elephant reserves | State | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singhbhum | Jharkhand | 13,440.0 |
| 2 | Mysuru | Karnataka | 8,055.9 |
| 3 | Shivalik | Uttarakhand | 5,406.0 |
| 4 | Nilgiri | Tamil Nadu | 4,662.4 |
| 5 | Periyar | Kerala | 3,742.0 |
| Rank | Smallest elephant reserves | State | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singphan | Nagaland | 23.5 |
| 2 | Intanki | Nagaland | 202.0 |
| 3 | Mayurjharna | West Bengal | 414.0 |
| 4 | Sambalpur | Odisha | 426.9 |
| 5 | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | 565.5 |
Singhbhum alone is about one-sixth of the whole elephant reserve network. Both the largest and the smallest reserves were checked against the atlas text, which calls Singhbhum "the largest" and Singphan "the smallest Elephant Reserve in the country".
Which Was the First Elephant Reserve in India?
Most exam books answer Singhbhum Elephant Reserve (Jharkhand), 2001, and that is the answer to mark if it appears in the options. For accuracy: the atlas lists two reserves notified in 2001, Mayurbhanj (Odisha, 29 July 2001) and Singhbhum (Jharkhand, 26 September 2001), plus Garo Hills (Meghalaya, 31 October 2001). If a question gives both Mayurbhanj and Singhbhum as options, read it carefully; most question setters follow the textbook answer, Singhbhum.
Project Elephant: Static GK for SSC CGL and RRB NTPC
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1992, by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
| Type | Centrally sponsored; now run together with Project Tiger as "Project Tiger and Elephant" |
| Aim | Protect elephants, their habitats and corridors; reduce human-elephant conflict; welfare of captive elephants |
| Elephant reserves | 33, notified by states with Steering Committee approval |
| Legal protection | Asian elephant is in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 |
| IUCN status | Asian elephant: Endangered |
| National Heritage Animal | Declared in 2010 |
| Population (SAIEE 2021-25) | 22,446 (range 18,255 to 26,645), India's first DNA-based elephant count |
| Top states by elephants | Karnataka 6,013, Assam 4,159, Tamil Nadu 3,136, Kerala 2,785, Uttarakhand 1,792 |
| India's share | Nearly 60% of the world's wild Asian elephants |
| Corridors | 150, in Elephant Corridors of India 2023; West Bengal has the most (26) |
Note the difference: an elephant reserve is a management unit notified under Project Elephant guidelines. It is not a separate legal category under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, unlike a tiger reserve (Section 38V) or a national park. An elephant reserve can include national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves and reserve forests inside it.
Elephant Reserve News 2026 (Current Affairs)
- World Elephant Day 2026 (12 August): the national event was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Minister of State for Environment conferred the Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026.
- Regional Action Plan for southern India: a plan to manage human-elephant conflict in the southern states was released at the same event, and the 23rd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant was held.
- Elephant census: SAIEE 2021-25, released on 14 October 2025, estimated 22,446 wild elephants using DNA from dung samples.
- Railways: PIB reports train-hit elephant deaths fell from 26 in 2013 to 12 in 2024 after mitigation on sensitive stretches.
How to Remember Elephant Reserves State-Wise (Tricks)
- "5-5-4-3": Assam 5, Tamil Nadu 5, Kerala 4, Odisha 3. Six states have 2 each, and four states have 1 each.
- The six "2" states: "All Cats Keep Nine Unusual Whiskers" = Arunachal, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
- The four "1" states: "A J M U" = Andhra Pradesh (Rayala), Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Meghalaya (Garo Hills), Uttarakhand (Shivalik).
- Newest three, in order: "L-A-T": Lemru (31), Agasthiyarmalai (32), Terai (33).
- Largest vs smallest: both start with "Sing": Singhbhum (largest) and Singphan (smallest).
Common Mistakes in Elephant Reserve Questions
- Writing 32 as the total. Terai (UP) made it 33 in 2022.
- Calling Agasthiyarmalai the newest. It is 32nd; Terai is 33rd.
- Saying Kerala has the most reserves. Kerala has 4; Assam and Tamil Nadu have 5 each.
- Mixing up Anamudi (Kerala) and Anamalai (Tamil Nadu). They are neighbouring reserves in different states.
- Confusing the state with most elephant reserves (Assam/Tamil Nadu) with the state with most elephants (Karnataka).
- Treating elephant reserves as a legal category like national parks. They are notified under Project Elephant, not as a separate WPA category.
Elephant Reserves Questions with Answers (Practice Set)
- How many elephant reserves are there in India in 2026? Answer: 33, across 14 states.
- Which is the newest elephant reserve in India? Answer: Terai Elephant Reserve, Uttar Pradesh (33rd, notified December 2022).
- Which is the largest elephant reserve in India? Answer: Singhbhum, Jharkhand (13,440 sq km).
- Which is the smallest elephant reserve in India? Answer: Singphan, Nagaland (23.5 sq km).
- Which states have the highest number of elephant reserves? Answer: Assam and Tamil Nadu, with 5 each.
- Lemru Elephant Reserve is in which state? Answer: Chhattisgarh. It is the 31st reserve.
- Rayala Elephant Reserve is in which state? Answer: Andhra Pradesh.
- When was Project Elephant launched? Answer: 1992.
- Which state has the largest elephant population as per SAIEE 2021-25? Answer: Karnataka (6,013).
- Dandeli Elephant Reserve is in which state? Answer: Karnataka.
Practise mixed static GK in the SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and the RRB Group D Our Environment Mock Test 01.
Elephant Reserves in India FAQs
How many elephant reserves are there in India in 2026?
33, spread over 14 states and about 80,777 sq km, as per MoEFCC and the PIB World Elephant Day backgrounder of 12 August 2026.
Which is the 33rd elephant reserve of India?
The Terai Elephant Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, in the Dudhwa-Pilibhit landscape on the Nepal border, notified on 29 December 2022.
Which state has the most elephant reserves in India?
Assam and Tamil Nadu, with 5 elephant reserves each. Kerala is next with 4.
Which is the largest elephant reserve in India?
Singhbhum Elephant Reserve in Jharkhand, with an area of 13,440 sq km.
How many elephant reserves are there in Karnataka?
Two: Mysuru (8,055.9 sq km) and Dandeli (2,321 sq km). Karnataka still has the most wild elephants of any state.
How many elephant reserves are there in Assam?
Five: Chirang-Ripu, Dhansiri-Lungding, Dihing-Patkai, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong and Sonitpur, all notified in 2003.
How many elephants are there in India?
The DNA-based SAIEE 2021-25 estimated 22,446 wild elephants (range 18,255 to 26,645). Karnataka has the most (6,013).
Practice Next
- Mock tests: SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and RRB NTPC Geography Mock Test 01.
- Related notes: tiger reserves in India 2026, wildlife sanctuaries in India state-wise 2026, national parks in India list 2026, biosphere reserves in India 2026 and Ramsar sites in India 2026 list.
- Exam details: SSC CGL 2026 and RRB NTPC 2026.
- Browse all study notes.