On the eve of World Elephant Day, the Ministry of Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to a permanent, scientific, and sustainable solution to the human‑elephant conflict, unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring coexistence between people and wildlife.

Under the direct guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, three major elephant corridors, Watahira Kanda, Hadapanagala, and Koholankala, have been officially gazetted and opened in Hambantota and Monaragala districts, with preliminary work underway in Anuradhapura. Invasive plants around reservoirs such as Kalawewa and Tabbowa have been cleared to create enrichment zones and grasslands, encouraging elephants to remain within reserves. Restoration of tanks and water sources inside forests is also ongoing.

The Ministry highlighted the activation of enrichment zones in protected forests, including Nilgala, Sri Lanka’s second‑largest forest, under the “Wanaspathi” national program, which has already reduced elephant intrusions into villages. At Pinnawala, Asia’s first “Free Elephant Sanctuary” has been opened, allowing musth elephants to roam without chains.

To regulate captive elephants used in cultural ceremonies, a committee has been appointed to review draft regulations for registration and licensing, ensuring welfare standards. Parallel measures include recruiting Elephant Fence Assistant Officers, 5,000 Civil Defence Force personnel, and Multi‑Purpose Development Officers to strengthen conservation operations. New electric fences are being constructed with national budget allocations, while camera systems and warning signboards are being installed along key railway lines, such as Gal Oya -Trincomalee, Gal Oya–Batticaloa, Northern, and Mannar, to prevent elephant‑train collisions.

Recognizing the need for swift medical care, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is establishing a mobile hospital service for wild elephants. An Expert and Monitoring Committee on Human‑Elephant Conflict Management has also been appointed, bringing together ministries, conservation agencies, experts, and local communities to design a systematic, long‑term action plan.

The Ministry emphasized that safeguarding elephants is synonymous with protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, tourism, the national economy, and cultural heritage. “Ensuring human‑elephant coexistence by protecting lives and property in conflict areas while safeguarding the country’s precious wildlife heritage for future generations represents the practical realization of the government’s ‘Sustainable Biosphere, Green Life’ policy,” the Ministry of Environment statement said.

Statement : World Elephant Day (Newswire)

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