Government today launched a nationwide campaign – Gaj Yatra to protect elephants on the occasion of World Elephant Day. The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states. Launching the campaign in New Delhi, Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan emphasised that an attempt must be made to bring to an end the chapter of man-animal conflict. He said, a war must be waged against poachers and hunters who harm elephants and other wildlife. <br/><br/>Calling for proactive, innovative and out-of-the-box ideas, Dr. Vardhan said that efforts for elephant conservation must bring about a qualitative improvement by the next World Elephant Day. He said that an effort will be made to install the models of elephants being carved out from waste material at prominent public places like Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhawan and at the Ministry's premises in Indira Paryavaran Bhawan.<br/><br/>World Elephant Day is celebrated to focus the attention of various stakeholders in supporting various conservation policies to protect elephants, including improving enforcement policies to prevent illegal poaching and trade in ivory. The goal of day is to create awareness about the plight of elephants and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better care and management of captive and wild elephants.