From conflict to coexistence: Govt. steps up elephant protection drive
By Ifham Nizam As Sri Lanka marks World Elephant Day today (August 12), the Government has stepped up an ambitious programme aimed at transforming the country’s long-running human-elephant conflict (HEC) from a cycle of temporary interventions into a scientifically managed effort to achieve long-term coexistence between people and elephants. Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said […]
On World Elephant Day, the Sri Lankan government has launched a comprehensive program to address the longstanding human-elephant conflict (HEC). Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi emphasized that protecting the Asian elephant is crucial for preserving the nation's biodiversity, forests, tourism industry, economy, and cultural heritage. The government aims to transition from temporary interventions to a long-term, scientifically managed approach to coexistence.
Key initiatives include habitat restoration, the protection of elephant corridors, improved food and water availability within forests, strengthened field operations, and enhanced coordination among scientific and government institutions. The program, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, involves multiple government bodies and local communities.
Three significant corridors – Batahira Kanda, Handpanagala, and Koholankala – have been officially designated to facilitate elephants' natural movement. Work is also underway to restore and reopen corridors in Anuradhapura District, as years of unplanned development have disrupted traditional elephant movement routes.
The government is enhancing habitat management by clearing invasive plants around key water sources, creating enrichment zones, and improving food and water availability inside forests. The restoration of tanks and water systems within protected areas is ongoing. Additionally, the Pinnawala Elephant Conservation Centre is set to open Asia's first "Free Elephant Sanctuary," allowing musth elephants to roam freely in a natural environment.
Legal measures for captive elephants' welfare are being reviewed, and the government is expanding field capacity by recruiting new staff and deploying additional personnel and equipment for field operations. Electric fences are being constructed in high-risk areas, complemented by terminal camera systems on trains and warning signs along major railway lines to prevent elephant-train collisions.
A mobile hospital service for wild elephants is also being established to ensure rapid response to injured animals. The government has appointed an Expert and Monitoring Committee to oversee the implementation and refinement of the HEC management plan, aiming to address the root causes of the conflict rather than merely reacting to conflicts as they occur.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
