For centuries, the expansive plains and rich biodiversity surrounding Kala Wewa have been a sanctuary for the wild elephant population of Sri Lanka. Located in the heart of the Anuradhapura District, this ecosystem has served as a lifeline for herds that have roamed its lands for generations. 

But in recent decades, this landscape has been threatened – its grasslands have dwindled, food sources have diminished, leading to the much-discussed human-elephant conflict.

This September, an ambitious project will set in motion a crucial restoration effort aimed at reversing the damage, reviving the grasslands, and offering hope to the future of environmental conservation. 

A threat to a historic habitat

The Kala Wewa National Park, which was once a thriving grassland, has faced severe environmental threats over the past several decades. These challenges have arisen from two main sources: The continuous human expansion and cultivation of forest land as well as several natural factors that have come into play.

“One of the most pressing threats is the rapid growth of an invasive plant that is disrupting the natural growth of grass, especially during the dry season, and limiting the food sources of elephants who eat the grass,” wildlife photographer, Saman Halloluwa said.

As the grasslands disappeared, elephants – driven by hunger – began venturing into nearby villages in search of food sources, leading to a loss of life for both humans and elephants, injuries, as well as a significant economic loss for the local farming community. 

There have also been a loss of several tuskers that have been noticed due to this ecological change. 

The restoration initiative

Recognising the urgency of the crisis, a restoration project has been planned to reclaim the lost grasslands of Kala Wewa. The initiative aims to completely remove the invasive plant and allow the natural ecosystem to recover.

Scheduled for 5, 6, and 7 September, the project represents a large-scale collaboration between multiple parties including the Mahaweli Authority, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Clean Sri Lanka Initiative.

“We also have garnered the assistance of approximately 400 members of the Tri-Forces and we also have members of the local community helping us with food preparation for the project,” Halloluwa said.   

This collective initiative has its sights set on not just the present state of the Kala Wewa area but also on the future of the locality and the human-elephant conflict. 

A human-powered approach

What sets this project apart is its commitment to conservation-friendly methods. In keeping with the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s guidelines, no heavy machinery will be used. Instead, the restoration will rely entirely on human labour, ensuring that the removal process causes minimal disruption to the existing ecosystem.

“We want to ensure that no harm is done to the ecosystem,” Halloluwa said. “Therefore, we will be paying attention to what the area needs and taking care not to cause any damage that can be caused with machinery.”

This hands-on, manual approach will minimise the disturbance to local plants and wildlife, making it environmentally friendly and ethical. 

Why grasslands matter

For elephants, grasslands are not just a source of food – they are where many elephants raise their young. These open plains provide the bulk of their diet during the dry season, allowing them to graze in herds and maintain their health during harsh weather. Without grasslands, elephants are forced to wander farther, often crossing into human settlements where human cultivations are often affected. 

“We have often seen that elephants that do not have proper access to food often come into chena cultivation, causing destruction and often causing farmers to retaliate by using guns, traps and explosives,” Halloluwa said. “This has led to many elephants, including young ones, being injured or losing their lives.”

Restoring the grasslands of Kala Wewa could help break this cycle – reducing the pressure on elephants to leave their protected areas and giving local communities a chance to coexist peacefully with the animals that have both a cultural and environmental significance in our country. 

A vision for the future

The project is not just about removing an invasive plant. It is about protecting a species of vulnerable animals. Names like Walagamba, Rewatha, Barana, Deegha 1, Deegha 2, and Neela – once familiar tuskers that roamed the Kala Wewa plains – have now disappeared. Many of these majestic animals have already lost their lives or have been reported missing. However, it is their memory that motivates us to see this project to success. 

“We want to make sure that more elephants are not killed or reported missing,” Halloluwa said. 

If successful, the project will create a thriving grassland ecosystem where future generations of Sri Lankans can once again witness the sight of hundreds of elephants moving across the grassland, causing no threat to human cultivation or life. It will also restore balance to a once thriving ecosystem. 

A call for collective action

Large-scale conservation projects such as this one cannot succeed without passionate people. They require the active participation of communities, the support of government agencies, and the participation of those who are in love with saving the natural world. This is why the organizers of the Kala Wewa grassland restoration project have extended an open invitation to all who love elephants and value the environment to contribute in whatever way they can.

“I hope to see a lot of passionate and hard-working people helping us make this project a success,” Halloluwa said. “Without the help of the wider community, we can only do so much.”

Whether through volunteering, spreading awareness, or supporting the initiative financially, every effort will add value to the project at large. The hope is that this project will not only restore a critical habitat but also inspire a broader movement of environmental responsibility across Sri Lanka.

Looking beyond the project

Restoring grasslands is a significant step, but it is only the beginning. For the change to last, continued monitoring, community education, and sustainable land management practices will be essential. The removal of invasive plants must be followed by careful re-establishment of native and non-invasive flora and consistent efforts to prevent the reinvasion of harmful species.

“We must continuously monitor if the invasive plant will spread and remove it whenever necessary,” he said. “This makes the Kala Wewa project a long-term project that requires a lot of dedication and focus.” 

Moreover, addressing human-elephant conflict requires more than just ecological restoration. It demands a well-thought-out approach – one that includes building safe corridors for elephant movement, introducing early warning systems for farmers and fostering a culture of coexistence through education and policy.

A chance to rewrite the story

Kala Wewa has stood for generations as a symbol of harmony between humans, wildlife, and the local environment. While its decline is an unfortunate part of the story, its restoration fills people up with hope and the promise of a better future for humans and elephants.

“I’m hopeful that someday the complex relationship between humans and elephants will be mended,” he said. “And it is through these conservation efforts that we can rebuild a peace between the species.”

The battle for Kala Wewa is not just about saving a piece of land – it is about safeguarding a legacy for generations yet to come.