Human-elephant conflict: challenges in agriculture Sector in Polonnaruwa district; A study based on literature review

Abstract

Human-elephant conflict is a major challenge to support the survivors and survival of elephants in tropical countries. Elephant-human conflicts occur when it comes to farmland and chena plantations scattered over a large area. In addition, we can say that the elephant population has decreased significantly due to human-elephant conflicts in the last few decades. The North Central Province of Sri Lanka has been designated as a high-risk area with 42% incidents. This study is based on the Polonnaruwa district, to identify the nature of the human-elephant conflict. In addition, the current elephant-human conflict challenges in agriculture and farming and the search for causes of elephant deaths have been reviewed. Primary and secondary sources were used to systematically review the concepts of the elephant-human conflict and the identified features related to agriculture, farming, and the challenges faced by elephants. Causes of elephant-human conflict, crop damage, property damage, human death, and other damages have been discussed. The theme of the review is local measures taken by farmers to reduce conflicts, government measures low compensation methods for victims, use of bio fences, and use of electric fences. The elephant-human conflict has become a major socio-environmental issue in Sri Lanka. Although human-elephant conflict can be eliminated through inter-cooperation, methodological research has recommended the implementation of the challenges of minimizing human-elephant conflict in the Polonnaruwa district.