Elephant enrichment programme centred on the Thabbowa Reservoir proves successful

The Sri Lankan government's new initiative to reduce human-elephant conflict through scientific methods is proving to be an effective solution. This programme focuses on providing wild elephants with the necessary food and water resources in their natural habitats. Spearheaded by the Ministers of Environment, with guidance from the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the project has already made strides in areas with high conflict levels.

To achieve this, 113 forests have been declared protected reserves under the Vanaspathi National Programme. The initial phase of the project involved the establishment of tank enrichment zones around the Kala Wewa and Thabbowa reservoirs. In collaboration with 'Clean Sri Lanka,' the Ministry of Environment and 'Clean Sri Lanka' conducted an operation to remove invasive plant species that threatened the environmental health of the Thabbowa reservoir.

This effort was supported by government officials, environmental scientists, the tri-forces, and local residents.

Since the implementation of the government's "A Sustainable Biosphere, An Evergreen Life" policy, wildlife monitoring teams from the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest Conservation have been regularly assessing the project's progress. They have observed a significant reduction in the number of elephants entering villages in search of food, as they now prefer the naturally regenerating grasslands near the reservoirs.

Following the success of this model at Thabbowa and Kala Wewa, the Ministry of Environment is now planning to replicate this eco-friendly, scientifically-backed strategy across other areas where human-elephant conflict is a major issue. This approach not only protects human lives and agricultural lands but also ensures that wild elephants have the space they need to thrive in their native habitats.