Guwahati, February 2026 — For over four decades, Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma has been a singular force in wildlife conservation. Known globally as the “Elephant Doctor,” his mission transcends simple veterinary science; it is a relentless fight to save a species that serves as the very heartbeat of India’s forests.

From Personal Loss to a National Mission

The seeds of Dr. Sarma’s journey were sown in a moment of childhood grief. Growing up with a family elephant named Lakshmi, he watched helplessly as she succumbed to an infection because no doctor was available to treat her.

“Grandma said we don’t even have a doctor for our cows, where do you get a doctor for elephants?” Sarma recalls. That loss became a lifelong promise: no other “Lakshmi” would go untreated if he could help it. Today, he treats between 700 to 1,000 elephants annually, having served over 10,000 animals in his career.

Ecosystem Engineers Under Threat

Elephants are not just inhabitants of the wild; Dr. Sarma calls them “ecosystem engineers”. Because they digest only 40% of what they eat, their waste is responsible for 60% of forest regeneration.

However, the statistics for their survival are grim. Between 2000 and 2023, India lost over 1,200 elephants. The leading cause? Electrocution. Due to their unique foot anatomy, elephants are highly susceptible to fatal shocks from illegal or poorly maintained power lines near forest fringes.

The “Bio-Fencing” Revolution

Dr. Sarma realized early on that medicine alone wouldn’t stop the decline. He stepped out of the clinics and into the villages to address human-elephant conflict at the source.

• The Problem: Traditional electric fences intended to protect crops often become death traps for wandering herds.
• The Solution: Dr. Sarma introduced “Bio-Fencing.” By encouraging villagers to plant thorny bamboo and the world-famous “Bhut Jolokia” (Ghost Chili) shrubs, he created natural, non-lethal boundaries that elephants instinctively avoid.

A Legacy of Honors and Future Goals

In 2020, the Government of India recognized his contributions with the Padma Shri, the nation’s fourth-highest civilian award. He was the first veterinarian in Indian history to receive the honor for elephant care.

As we move through 2026, Dr. Sarma is scaling his impact. His current goal is to establish Eco-Development Committees across 20 key villages. By training local volunteers to become first-line conservationists, he is ensuring that the community—not just the doctors—protects the herds.

Bottom Line

Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma’s work proves that conservation is not about “interfering” with nature, but about correcting the imbalances humans have created. In a country that holds over 60% of the world’s Asian elephant population, his efforts are not just local—they are the blueprint for the species’ global survival.