One of the biggest crises in conserving the wildlife of Sri Lanka is the growing cases of Human Elephant Conflict or “HEC”. Some of the most popular places to visit in Sri Lanka are home to these gentle giants. However, they are facing one of the gravest challenges due to the extremely rapid population growth that is common in Asia. The population density in many Asian countries, including Sri Lanka is very high. As a result, more and more forestland is cleared to make residential areas.
Causes of the Conflict
In spite of having one of the lowest growth rates in Asia, Sri Lanka has a population density of over 300 people per square km. About 750 people are added daily to the population count. This alarming growth rate is a direct threat to the wildlife of Sri Lanka as it causes a humungous loss of natural habitat for elephants.
Cultivation, developmental activities including building 5 star hotels in Sri Lanka and other construction in the valley led to animal sanctuaries being limited to the highlands and mountains where the soil and vegetation are not adequate to support elephants. Moreover, the elephants depend on the lush vegetation of the fertile valleys for food and these are now off limits due to settlers.
The elephants are also losing their preferred foliage of consumable plants as the tall trees have been cut for human needs. The low, inedible, thorny shrubs that have been planted as replacement multiplies quickly and takes over the forests leaving the elephants no choice but to venture into villages and open areas in search of food.
The Crux of the Matter
In Sri Lanka, as in the rest of Asia, a significant population of elephants live outside designated protected zones. Land that is not part of any wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka is increasingly being converted to human habitats that bring the wild elephants in close proximity to humans.
Grazing grounds for elephants are being replaced with agricultural fields and watering holes are being converted into reservoirs for crops and domestic use. Humans also erect fences to defend their lands from the elephants that venture out in search of food and water. These artificial and often physically harmful boundaries block access to critical resources of the wildlife of Sri Lanka, especially elephants.
Humans harass, chase, and try to scare the elephants when they come into the villages or open areas surrounding the villages fearing crop, property, or physical damage. Trap guns, muzzleloaders, planks studded with nail left on trails, poison, all take their toll, killing and maiming elephants.
The Disheartening Outcome
Due to the escalating nature of HEC in Sri Lanka, elephants have become almost completely nocturnal and very secretive, taking flight at the sound of a human voice and hiding in impenetrable thickets during the day.
Sadly, the huge population of elephants that live outside the wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka cannot be shoehorned into the limited protected areas. HEC coupled with poaching for ivory is one of the major threats for the Asian elephants in Sri Lanka even though they are one of the highlights of any Sri Lanka wildlife tour.
Human Elephant Coexistence
In spite of many efforts at conserving the elephants and wildlife in Sri Lanka, the need for alternative strategies was imperative. That is why Dr Fernando, a well-known researcher and an internationally recognised scientist residing in Tissamaharama for the past five years has been on a clear mission to find new ways of managing and mitigating the HEC and formulating long-term solutions.
Dr Fernando with his wife, Dr Pastorini, who is herself a renowned scientist, has been heading the Centre for Conservation and Research, Sri Lanka that is working hard to come up with new, effective, and enduring management strategies for conservation of elephants and successfully abating the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka. Research conducted by the Centre over the past decade has brought to light much new information such as migration patterns, home ranges, compatible agricultural practices etc. These can be used successfully to develop a much better conservation and management plan that respects the biological and ecological needs of the elephants.
Taking into account the findings of the research and without disrupting the current lives of either humans or elephants, the Centre in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka is in the process of developing two pilot projects to try out the new strategy. These should shift the scenario from Human Elephant Conflict to Human Elephant Coexistence. These will benefit both the elephants and the humans and ensure the sustenance of a healthy population of elephants for people to enjoy during their Sri Lanka trip.
Facts Credit: Authenticities
