Human-Elephant Conflict and Mitigation Methods using Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques: A Case Study of Kuda Bellankadawala and Kelegama Grama Niladari Divisions in Thambuttegama Divisional Secretariat Division

Abstract

The land area of Sri Lanka constitutes 65,610 sq. km with a considerable range of forest conservation zones that are prone to human- elephant conflict (HEC) that has led to various social, economic, and environmental issues. The main objective of this study is to identify the key issues in human-elephant conflict and propose viable solutions for them using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Two key HEC prone areas have been selected for this study, namely Kuda Bellankadawala and Kelegama Gramaniladari Divisions (GND) in the Thambuttegama Divisional Secretariat. Both primary and secondary data sources have been utilized in data collection and data were mainly derived from information sources, particularly published on HEC incidents reported in the key areas. Primary data were collected using PRA methods, such as resources map, seasonal map, problem tree, and risk quadrant. It was found out from the PRA survey that HEC incidents from Kuda Bellankadawala and Kelegama divisions account for 41% and 56% respectively. In terms of damage evaluation, 70% of incidents account for property damages while 25% account for damages to cultivations. According to the HEC risk value calculation, 165.85 and 100.17 risk values were found in the Kuda Bellankadawala and Kelegama villages. The most commonly used methods for HEC damage control were elephant watch towers (85%) and firecrackers (70%) and the survey has revealed that elephant corridor methods are still not used for reducing of HECs in the study areas. It is expected that the findings of this study will be instrumental in the formulation and implementation of local-level policies for minimizing damages from HECs in Sri Lanka.