The latest elephant chase operation in Anuradhapura has triggered a new round of issues surrounding the long-standing elephant-human conflict in Sri Lanka. A herd of approximately sixty elephants that were supposed to move towards Wilpattu National Park instead diverted to the Oyamaduwa farm, leading to further human-elephant clashes. Now, wildlife officials, who originally planned to redirect the elephants, find themselves responsible for managing the problem caused by the animals’ unexpected movement into Oyamaduwa.
This operation follows a similar failed attempt in Kurunegala and Giribawa in recent weeks, and both incidents have sparked criticism on social media about the environmental policies of Sri Lanka’s National People’s Power government. Though the immediate elephant chase has ended, the larger issue remains unresolved.
A Legacy of Ineffective Elephant Chase Operations
Sri Lanka has a history of failed elephant chase operations spanning over six decades. The first major elephant chase was initiated in 1959, and since then, various operations have been conducted with the goal of controlling human-elephant conflict, but they have largely been ineffective. Despite the continued efforts of the government, the problem persists, especially for the residents of 19 districts and 134 Divisional Secretariat Divisions who live in constant fear of elephant encounters. With extensive funding directed towards these operations, questions linger about the effectiveness of these measures and the toll they have taken, both financially and in terms of human lives lost.
The solution of releasing elephants into protected areas when they enter populated zones is an approach that has often been pursued in the past. While this can offer a temporary respite for human populations, it has been shown to only escalate the human-elephant conflict over time. Such tactics often result in more violent behavior from the elephants and a deepening of the conflict, contrary to the recommendations outlined in Sri Lanka’s “National Action Plan to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict” of 2020. These issues raise the urgent question of how the country will address the human-elephant conflict effectively in the long run.
Anuradhapura District Coordination Meeting: A Breakdown in Operation
The elephant problem in Anuradhapura was brought to the forefront at the District Coordination Meeting held on December 12. According to wildlife officials, an operation to relocate wild elephants from Moragoda to Wilpattu National Park began on December 15, with the elephants expected to travel through Ulukkulam, Elayapattu, and Ranorawa. However, the elephants took a different route, and two herds of around sixty elephants instead moved toward Oyamaduwa farm and Nikawewa, causing significant disruption.
W.M.K.S. Chandraratne, Assistant Director of the Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone, explained that the operation had been planned with the support of the Army, Civil Defence Force, and Air Force, utilizing drones for surveillance. However, heavy rains disrupted the operation. Officials were forced to change their approach and used mobile vehicles to try and guide the elephants into reserves. Unfortunately, the elephants’ movements remain unpredictable, with their location now centered around Oyamaduwa farm, signaling that the planned route was far from effective.
A similar attempt was made in Kurunegala’s Giribawa area. However, farmers vehemently opposed the operation, as they did not want elephants being driven through their paddy fields. This backlash highlights the difficulty of using force to manage elephant populations, especially when the affected communities have conflicting interests.
Political Influence on Elephant Repelling Operations?
The latest elephant chase operation in Anuradhapura has raised questions about the political motivations behind it. Some critics argue that it was driven by political considerations rather than sound environmental management. The Director General of Wildlife, Chandana Suriyabandara, acknowledged the presence of political elements in the decision but insisted that the operation was in line with the department’s annual work plan, which addresses human-elephant conflict based on input from district-level coordination meetings.
Suriyabandara explained that these meetings assess requests from local communities, and if a significant conflict situation arises, a decision is made to address it. He clarified that the operation in Anuradhapura targeted only problematic elephants, those that had been identified as dangerous to humans, and not the entire elephant population. He pointed to similar operations in recent years, including those in Polonnaruwa, Ampara, and Mahiyangana, where problematic elephants were relocated without targeting the entire herds. The goal was never to drive away all elephants, just those causing the most significant issues.
However, environmentalists such as Hemantha Withanage, Chairman of the Environmental Justice Centre, have strongly criticized the operation. He claims that the elephant chase in Anuradhapura was conducted by a politically affiliated group and not by qualified wildlife officers. He pointed out that elephant repelling is a complex process that requires careful planning and expertise. He also criticized the lack of scientific basis behind the operation and argued that it was an illegal action by unqualified individuals. According to Withanage, elephant repelling must be done with proper authority and cannot be left to the discretion of politically motivated groups.
The Challenges of Managing Elephant Behavior
A critical aspect of the human-elephant conflict is the complex behavior of elephants. Approximately 70% of Sri Lanka’s elephant habitats are situated near human settlements, with humans and elephants sharing 44% of the island’s total land area. One of the most difficult aspects of managing this conflict is the presence of lone male elephants, also known as “loners,” who are often responsible for causing the most damage in human settlements. These elephants are more likely to approach villages, raid crops, and destroy property, as they do not have a stable herd structure to keep them in check.
Dr. Prithviraj Fernando, Chairman of the Conservation Research Institute (CCR), stressed that chasing elephants, particularly solitary males, often leads to violent confrontations and escalates the conflict. While females and calves tend to avoid conflict, the lone males are the ones that usually cause the damage. When officials attempt to chase these elephants away, the situation becomes more dangerous, and in many cases, the elephants may return, sometimes more aggressive than before. Fernando argued that these tactics only create more violence and do nothing to solve the problem.
Dr. Jagath Gunawardena also raised concerns about the ecological impact of such operations, noting that chasing elephants disrupts the entire ecosystem, affecting not only the elephants but also other species of birds, mammals, and plants. Furthermore, the untrained personnel involved in these operations sometimes cause harm to the elephants, such as shooting and injuring them, which only deepens the problem.
The Failure of Past Relocation Efforts
The history of elephant relocation operations in Sri Lanka is filled with failures. One infamous example is that of the elephant named “Chandi” from Galgamuwa. Chandi, known for his aggressive behavior toward humans, was relocated multiple times, including to Somawathiya National Park, but consistently returned to his original home. In one instance, Chandi traveled 243 kilometers over 28 days to return to Galgamuwa. Despite several relocation attempts, Chandi’s behavior remained unchanged, highlighting the inefficacy of such operations.
Other relocation efforts have also resulted in tragic outcomes, such as the deaths of elephants due to starvation at the Lunugamwehetara Detention Center and the Horowpathana Elephant Detention Center. These failed operations underscore the challenges and limitations of elephant relocation as a long-term solution to the conflict.
The Current Departmental Approach and the Need for a National Strategy
The Department of Wildlife has shifted to conducting short-term elephant relocation operations, typically lasting only a few days. The last large-scale elephant relocation took place between 2005 and 2006 under the Walawa Left Bank Scheme, which involved the relocation of elephants to Lunugamvehera. However, even with such efforts, the human-elephant conflict in the region remains unresolved.
In response to the growing conflict, new measures have been implemented, including the construction of guard posts in the Mahawilachchiya Division of Anuradhapura to prevent elephants from entering villages. These posts are being built with the support of local communities and the Civil Defence Department. Once completed, Civil Defence personnel will monitor these posts daily to control elephant movements. If successful, this initiative will be expanded to other districts.
Proposals for Addressing Human-Elephant Conflict
Several proposals have been put forward to address the human-elephant conflict in a sustainable manner. These include the ‘Proposal to Mitigate the Human-Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka’ prepared by the Center for Environmental Justice, the ‘Action Plan to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict’ created by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, and the ‘National Action Plan’ prepared in 2020. Some of these recommendations are already being implemented by the Department of Wildlife.
However, environmentalists argue that the Department must shift away from short-term, unscientific solutions like elephant chases and focus on more long-term, scientifically grounded approaches. They emphasize the need for a collective, national strategy to address the issue, with collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and conservation organizations.
The Need for a Comprehensive National Solution
Solving the elephant-human conflict is no simple task. It requires a coordinated, national effort that addresses the root causes of the problem and involves all relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, environmental organizations, and local communities. The continued failure of past approaches, coupled with political influence and a lack of scientific rigor, has hindered progress.
A shift away from short-term measures and toward long-term, sustainable solutions is necessary if Sri Lanka is to effectively address the human-elephant conflict. This is a challenge that requires careful planning, collaboration, and political will to ensure the protection of both human and elephant populations in Sri Lanka for future generations.
SOURCE :- BBC SINHALA
