National Heritage Animal · India
Indian Elephant
Elephas maximus indicus
Officially designated
Reported
The elephant was declared India's national heritage animal to strengthen conservation measures.
The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) was declared India's national heritage animal in 2010, recognising its central place in the country's culture, religion and history and the need to protect it. India has the largest population of wild Asian elephants in the world.
Elephants appear in temple sculpture and festivals, and Lord Ganesha has an elephant's head. Project Elephant, launched in 1992, protects elephant reserves and the corridors that connect their forest habitats.
Sources & references
- National Portal of India – National Identity Elements – Government of India , retrieved 10 Oct 2026 Reported