Elephants hold special meanings in various cultures. In Chinese belief, they symbolize intelligence, power, and good luck. In Hinduism, elephants are associated with the god Ganesha, who represents good fortune. World Elephant Day is a day to raise awareness and promote positivity for these magnificent animals, the largest on land. Every year on August 12, people worldwide celebrate World Elephant Day. The main goal of World Elephant Day 2022 is to ensure the well-being and safety of the world's elephants and to stop illegal hunting and ivory trade.
Elephants face several serious threats due to human actions. Here are some of the major challenges they encounter:
1. Illegal Poaching: This is a significant threat to elephants, with many being killed for their ivory. The demand for luxury products, particularly in China, has driven the ivory market. Both African and Asian elephants are affected, and this illegal trade continues to claim the lives of these majestic creatures. Some elephants are also poached for their meat, leather, and other body parts.
2. Human-Elephant Conflict: As human populations grow, deforestation increases,
encroaching on the natural habitats of elephants. This forces them into closer contact with human communities, leading to conflicts. These conflicts often result in crop damage, economic losses, and challenges for both humans and elephants.
3. Habitat Loss: Human activities, such as deforestation, mining, and agricultural projects, are continually expanding to meet the needs of a growing population. This results in the loss of vital elephant habitats. Approximately 30-40% of Asian elephants have lost their homes, making it increasingly difficult for them to support their families and thrive.
4. Mistreatment in Captivity: The captivity of elephants poses a significant threat. Tourist centers, zoos, and circuses are popular attractions, but in some cases, visitors mistreat elephants. Asian elephants, in particular, are often subjected to harsh conditions in the tourism industry.

In honor of World Elephant Day, Go Sharpener came up with an activity to post a video explaining your views on ‘Do you think it is a good idea to ride an elephant for leisure’?

Now let's check out some of the entries that we have received:
1. Tanashvi Dayal from Mount Abu Public School
2. Suryansh Bachchan from Ryan International School Mayur Vihar
3. Grisha Varshney from Kamal Public School, Vikaspuri
4. Annika Bisht from JKG International School, Indirapuram
5. Rachit Jain from St. Mark's Senior Secondary Public School Meera Bagh

• The goal is to raise awareness as much as we can and to inspire people to take action to protect them. As a responsible citizen and for mankind we should share information about the importance of elephants with our friends and community. Teach people about the challenges these animals face and why they need our protection.
• Take a stand against the export of baby elephants, which often results in suffering and mistreatment.
• Make a commitment to support and protect elephants in any way you can. Every small effort counts. By taking these actions, you can be a part of the global effort to ensure the survival and well- being of elephants on World Elephant Day and beyond.

Stay tuned for the next blog that will cover Independence Day. Don’t forget to like, comment and share!