Human-elephant conflict spreads in Sri Lanka

• Wildlife authorities opt for new adaptation measures

By Kelum Bandara 

The human-elephant conflict has spread into new areas in recent times prompting the wildlife authorities to adopt new measures for mitigation, an official said. 

 Director General - Department of Wildlife Chandana Sooriyabandara told Daily Mirror that he had observed the latest phenomenon in areas like Mahiyangane and Medirigiriya, for example. “I served in Mahiyangane. The human-elephant conflict was not to be found in the Mahiyangane urban area. Now it is found. In some areas like Welikanda, the intensity of the problem has increased. The elephants dislodged from their habitat due to the Moragahakanda irrigation project have moved to the Mahiyangane area,” he said.  Asked whether the problem had worsened due to the increase  of elephants in the wild, he said no census had been done since 2011 and therefore the actual number of the wild elephant population could not be ascertained.  According to the last census, he said the number was nearly 6000, but it could not be scientifically correct in the current context. Mr. Sooriyabandara said his office had introduced programmes to work out new adaptation measures for humans to avoid dangers from the jumbos roaming.  “There is an increased encounter between humans and elephants,” he said.