Forest rangers in West Bengal performed yoga poses while seated atop elephants to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, 2026 [2].
The event highlights the intersection of wildlife conservation and wellness, emphasizing a spiritual and physical bond between humans and the animals they protect.
The session took place at Jaldapara National Park near the Torsha River [1]. Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan shared footage of the event, which featured forest department staff and rangers engaging in the practice [1].
A total of six elephants participated in the session [3]. The rangers maintained various yoga postures while balanced on the backs of the animals, creating a visual representation of stability and trust.
Organizers said the initiative aimed to promote harmony between humans and nature [1]. The display was designed to convey the message "One Earth, One Health, One Heart" [1]. This theme aligns with the broader 2026 International Yoga Day focus on "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" [2].
By integrating these animals into the celebration, the forest department sought to remind the public that yoga is about more than just exercise; it is about achieving harmony with the environment [2]. The event took place within the protected boundaries of the national park, utilizing the natural landscape to reinforce the connection to the earth [1].
“Yoga is about harmony, not just exercise.”
This event serves as a public relations effort to humanize wildlife management and promote India's 'soft power' through the global export of yoga. By linking the practice to conservation efforts in Jaldapara National Park, the forest department emphasizes a coexistence model where working animals are treated as partners in wellness rather than mere tools for patrol.
