Jan 22 2014.
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Villagers in remote parts of our island have long since been at war with our most common co-habitants; the wild elephant.
With a 150% increase in the human population and a 300% increase in the wild elephant population in the span of 60 sixty years, it is no wonder that territorial conflict has become a serious and dangerous problem, warranting the deaths of 160 elephants and 50 humans per year.
Although electric fencing has been a popular solution, it is not short of limitations such as high installation and maintenance costs, low resistance to wild elephants, not durable over long periods of time and also being unethical, promoting cruelty to animals, disharmony and incongruity within the environment.
In response to the national problem, Janathakshan recently launched the first ever Human Elephant Conflict Mitigation Campaign. Endorsed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute and the Palmyra Development Board, the core of the campaign is ‘The Palmyra Solution’.
The tried and tested solution proposes the planting of four rows of Palmyra trees in a zigzag pattern creating a bio fence around conflicted areas.
The Palmyra tree is known for its durability and strength and has a number of uses. It is
often favored for its hard, heavy and durable timber and has been used for fencing and construction in countries such as India and Indonesia. The leaves are used for thatching, mats, baskets, fans and hats. The Palmyra plant and fruits are often used in cooking.
It has also been found that elephants, although fond of the Palmyra fruit, usually stay away from the tree’s thorny trunk and find it impossible to knock down.
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The barrier will initially be used along with electric fencing, until the trees have grown to a certain height which takes about 7-8 years.
The campaign spear headed by Mr. Ranasinghe Perera, Director of Janathakshan/Head DRR, NRM and Climate Change Program said “Based on the frequency of attacks, we currently have project sites at Verugal, Udawalwe and Nikaveratiya. Even though the trees take 7-8 years to reach adequate growth, once grown, the solution is permanent”
By Ashanthi Navaratne
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Chandima Liyanagamage says:
Jan 23, 2014 at 12:00 amfurther details can be obtained from JANATHAKSHAN, No 05, Lionel Edirisinghe Mw, Col o5, 011 7885500 Human Elephant Conflict Mitigation Campaign website www.palmyrabiofencing.org