Evaluation of Management Options for Human Elephant Conflict using Multi-Criteria Analysis

Abstract

Human elephant conflict (HEC) is of great concern in wildlife management and rural development in most parts of Asia and Africa. With the escalating incidences of HEC in Sri Lanka the authorities have implemented a number of measures to mitigate the conflict during the past few decades. However, reports on continuously high incidences on HEC indicate that intended benefits have not been achieved. Against this background, the HEC management alternatives adopted in Sri Lanka were evaluated using Multi-criteria Analysis as the solutions to the issue are multi-faceted and contextual. The necessary data were collected from a field survey followed by focus group discussions with wildlife officers in three HEC areas, namely Galgamuwa, Anuradhapura and Ritigala. All possible management options were evaluated under three criteria the ecological, social and economic. It was found that the best alternative for Galgamuwa and Anuradhpaura is habitat enrichment. Current practices appeared to be the best option for Ritigala. The approach could be used to identify or rank the best management alternative/s to obtain more realistic management solutions for other HEC areas in the country. Sri Lankan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Vol.1(1) July 2009