Integrated programme launched to tackle human-elephant conflict

The government has launched an integrated programme combining immediate and long-term measures to address the country’s worsening human-elephant conflict, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody stated.Speaking at the Environment Ministry premises, Deputy Minister Jayakody said the initiative, launched under the direction of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seeks to provide a sustainable solution to a problem that has been aggravated by unplanned development and climate change.He said the present government has taken steps to strengthen the Department of Wildlife Conservation by recruiting civil elephant-fence assistants and providing additional vehicles to improve field operations.Restoration of tanks and other water sources within forest reserves has also commenced to ensure adequate water for wild elephants, while habitat enrichment projects are being carried out to remove invasive plant species and establish new grasslands to improve food availability for wildlife, according to the Deputy Minister.Jayakody said three elephant corridors—Koholankala, Hadapanagala and Wetahirakanda—in the Hambantota and Monaragala districts have been declared open through gazette notifications to facilitate elephant movement and reduce human-elephant encounters. Similar measures are expected to be expanded to other areas.He also announced the appointment of an expert committee comprising government officials, technical experts and district representatives to prepare a comprehensive action plan with scientific and practical long-term recommendations.The committee has been tasked with submitting its report to the President within three months.Deputy Minister Jayakody said the government's objective is to safeguard wildlife while ensuring the safety and livelihoods of communities affected by the human-elephant conflict.