Environmental researcher Supun Lahiru Prakash

• Environmental researcher Supun Lahiru Prakash on the human-elephant conflict

In a land where the lush wilderness collides with human settlements, the conflict between humans and elephants in Sri Lanka has reached alarming proportions. Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) recorded 151 deaths of Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus maximus) between 1 January and 28 April. Of these, at least 67 were due to human intervention, including shooting deaths (38) and electrocution caused by electric fences.

With both sides suffering casualties, and livelihoods at stake, the National Action Plan for the Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict – December 2020 offered a glimmer of hope.

The Daily Morning Brunch sat down with Supun Lahiru Prakash, an environmental researcher and biodiversity convener with a keen insight into this complex issue. Prakash shared his views on key areas covered by the action plan, its implementation status, and the road ahead.

A comprehensive approach to coexistence

Prakash began by praising the action plan as the most comprehensive and scientific proposal he’d ever encountered. He highlighted its multi-pronged approach, with recommendations spanning short, medium, and long-term solutions. “It has covered all the aspects related to human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation in Sri Lanka,” he exclaimed.

One standout feature of the plan is its emphasis on shared responsibility. Prakash pointed out that relying solely on the Department of Wildlife Conservation, as in the past, is unsustainable. With limited resources and a conflict zone spreading over 60% of the island, the burden is too great for one department to bear.

Alarming statistics and urgent need

Prakash’s concern deepened as he shared grim statistics. Sri Lanka leads the world in annual elephant deaths and ranks second in human casualties due to HEC. The situation has deteriorated in recent years, prompting urgency in implementing the action plan. “We can’t afford to waste any more time,” Prakash warned.

Challenges in implementation

Despite the potential for transformative change, Prakash expressed frustration over the Government’s sluggish approach. The action plan, presented in December 2020, remained unimplemented for years. Prakash called for the establishment of a Presidential Task Force, a vital component of the plan that is yet to see the light of day.

Recent developments have offered glimmers of hope. The current President appointed a committee to monitor the plan’s progress, and certain Government departments have initiated measures in line with the plan. However, Prakash cautioned that these steps are insufficient compared to the comprehensive approach outlined in the plan.

A vision for coexistence

When asked about the future, Prakash’s vision was clear. “We have enough experience and expertise to convert this conflict into coexistence,” he stated. His recommendations included immediate establishment of the proposed Presidential Task Force, continued monitoring of plan implementation, and active engagement from the affected public in the conflict zones.

In the end, Prakash emphasised the need for a collaborative effort, where all stakeholders unite to protect both humans and elephants. “This is a matter of life and death for both,” he concluded.

Government response

Meanwhile, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi recently stated that steps can be taken to prevent HEC by recruiting multi-purpose officers to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).

She further stated that a Cabinet paper has already been submitted for the permanent recruitment of multi-purpose officers attached to the DWC – The Daily Morning reported on 12 September – and that once the approval is received, they can be connected in order to take measures to prevent the impact caused by elephants.

Wanniarachchi stated this responding to the issues raised at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation meeting held in the Parliament recently.

Parliamentarians mentioned that if these multi-purpose officers are hired in addition to the officers of the Civil Security Department who are already deployed to prevent elephant-human conflicts, day and night search operations can also be carried out to prevent elephants from entering villages.

Two months ago, Wanniarachchi announced that a new policy would be formulated to address the ongoing elephant-human conflict, and that she hoped to address this issue with a programme with short, medium and long-term goals.

“By incorporating the previous efforts carried out to manage the conflict between humans and elephants, it is required to establish a permanent strategy for this. The policy will then be turned into a law after that. We are confident that by doing this, we will be able to permanently end the conflict between humans and elephants,” she said during a press conference themed “Collective Path to a Stable Country” held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC).

As Sri Lanka grapples with this complex issue at the intersection of ecology, society, and economics, one thing remains certain; The National Action Plan for the Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict could be the beacon of hope needed to pave the way for peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants. It’s a plan that, if fully embraced, could rewrite the tragic narrative of Sri Lanka’s human-elephant conflict.