Economic Value of Conservation: The Case of the Asian Elephant

The survival of both Asian and African elephants has become increasingly critical. However, in many respects, the survival of the Asian elephant is more precarious than that of the African elephant. Throughout its range, the populations of Asian elephants have declined in recent decades while aggravating the conflict with human interests. This article examines the historical evidence about the abundance and geographical distribution of the Asian Elephant, and then discusses the economic, social and institutional dilemmas which are associated with conservation of elephants and mitigation of human-elephant conflict in Asia. The point is then highlighted and illustrated that new thinking about economic value strengthens the social case for the conserving the remaining populations of Asian elephants.