Mitigating the Human-Crocodile Conflict in Sri Lanka: A Study Based on the Nilwala River Area in Matara District

Abstract

Human and crocodile have been coexisting for many years in Sri Lanka, particularly close to the Nilwala river area in Matara District, but fatalities were rarely reported. However, during the last decade the threats from crocodiles to humans have enhanced in the Nilwala river area, mainly during the years of 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Some 26 attacks, killing 18 humans by saltwater crocodiles were recorded since 2000 in this area. In retaliation to these attacks, people in this area killed several crocodiles, and recorded the saltwater crocodile under the threatened category in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is a worth to form a dialogue to mitigate human-crocodile conflict in the Nilwala river area in Sri Lanka. The Study was mainly based on primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected from semi-structured interviews. Sample size was consisted of forty-five (45) respondents. Secondary data was collected through published books, research reports, symposia proceedings, journal articles and web sites etc. Collected data from different sources, as mentioned above was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods, and it was presented using maps, texts, tables and figures. The study found that sand mining, population rise, using the river for daily needs such as drinking, bathing, washing clothes and fishing, unauthorized buildings in the river bank, scrub jungles, slow flowing of river are the major causes of the human-crocodile conflict in Nilwala river area. The study further found that Piladuwa, Fort and Thihagoda are the most vulnerable areas for human-crocodile conflict. "Kimbulkotuwa" or Crocodile Excluding Enclosure (CEEs) is a main method used to mitigate the human-crocodile conflict in this area.