[Published on April 2024] The Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka is a critical and multifaceted issue posing significant challenges to the conservation of the endangered Asian elephant. This conflict has deep historical roots and has escalated due to various factors, including poorly planned development projects, forest clearing, habitat loss, fragmentation of elephant habitats, population growth, urban expansion, changing land use, haphazard electric fencing and mismanagement of forest and wildlife reserves, as well as weak wildlife management practices. The conflict has resulted in economic losses for farmers, human injuries and fatalities, making it imperative to find effective solutions. 

Despite a lengthy history of wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka, existing measures have proven insufficient to mitigate the impacts of HEC. The national policy on the conservation and management of wild elephants in Sri Lanka (2018) focuses on confining elephants to Elephant Conservation Areas (ECAs) and Managed Elephant Reserves (MERs), which has proven to be a failed strategy. 

In addition to the loss of over 400 elephants annually, a tragic incident occurred in 2019, where seven elephants from the same herd were found dead at the Hiriwadunna reserve in Habarana, drawing immediate public attention. Legal action was initiated to investigate the incident and advocate for justice. 

In response to the Court of Appeal’s request, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) conducted a rigorous public consultation process with the aim of finding solutions to mitigate HEC. 

The CEJ also held consultations with government officials at the regional level, engaged with local communities and experts and studied the National Action Plan (NAP) prepared by the presidential committee for HEC mitigation in Sri Lanka (2020) chaired by Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando. 

The existing National Action Plan (NAP) for HEC mitigation follows a three-tiered approach with short-term, medium-term and long-term measures. Key measures include the construction and maintenance of electric fences, minimizing conflict-escalating activities, compensating for human losses and property damage, initiating insurance programs, implementing road safety measures and conducting public awareness programs. 

This proposal aims to reduce human-elephant conflict (HEC) and builds upon the National Action Plan (NAP). It includes inputs from the community, insights from government officers working in affected areas and expert perspectives. The proposal was shared with various stakeholders and a consultation was organized in Colombo prior to its finalization. We have also incorporated all proposed changes officially communicated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in this final report. 

The proposal emphasizes the importance of preserving elephant habitats, protecting elephant corridors and ensuring the effectiveness and maintenance of electric fences. It calls for the establishment of stringent standards for private electric fences to prevent harm to elephants. Sustainable intensification of agriculture using innovations to increase productivity on existing agricultural land is recommended to curb the conflict. Furthermore, CEJ urges the development of an integrated elephant conservation plan, the creation of a land use policy and an insurance plan. 

Additionally, a comprehensive census of Sri Lanka’s elephant population is recommended to support HEC mitigation efforts. These recommendations by CEJ offer a holistic approach to mitigating HEC, with a focus on preserving the nation’s natural heritage, protecting human and elephant lives and fostering coexistence. The NAP and the CEJ’s proposal reflect a collective commitment to addressing this complex conservation challenge in Sri Lanka. The report seeks to provide a collaborative, inclusive and adaptive solution to this intricate challenge.

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