Model mitigation sites for Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC)
Bio-fence as sustainable mechanism:
By Ranga Chandrarathne
[email protected]
H.P.L.K. Nanayakkara, Project Development and Planning Officer
of UNDP’s Disaster Management Programme |
UNDP’ Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Programme in collaboration with
National Disaster Committee, Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resource and Department of Wild Life Conservation has developed a model
mitigation site at Nawagaththegama, an area adversely affected by HEC.
Under the project, a bio-fence of jute, citrus and bougainvillea will
be constructed in parallel with a 15 km electric fence. The UNDP DRM
Programme has funded construction of live fence and to implement the
other HEC mitigation strategies in selected sites.
Following a survey conducted in the village, it has been decided to
try and test varieties plants which have already been used as
bio-barrier to elephants. Jute or agave, citrus, bougainvillea have been
planted in rows parallel to the 15 km electric fence.
Besides conservation aspects, the project has also looked into the
plausible economic benefits that can be accrued from a bio-fence. For
instance, the Community Based Organization (CBO) in the village can earn
a supplementary income by the sale of lemon which grows in the fence.
Currently, the plants required for the bio-fence have already been
grown in a nursery maintained by UNDP DRM project. This will
automatically ensure the maintenance of the fence. If the project is
successful, UNDP would step in providing markets for products such as
lemon from the fence.
Farmers in the area are affected by constant attacks by elephants
encroaching into their farmlands. It has also been found out that
elephants detest the bees, a fact which had been tested by
organizations. In the next step, UNDP DRM would test this if the
bio-fence is a success.
One of the objectives of the project is to test whether a bio-fence
can be used as sustainable mechanism in Sri Lanka in general and in
Nawagaththegama, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa dry zones in particular.
Since bio-fence is constructed in parallel with an electric fence,
effectiveness of the fences can be tested. In a project in Buttala and
Moneragala Districts, a bio-fence will be constructed and the result can
be compared and contrasted.
The project is managed by the District Secretary, Puttalam with
District National Disaster Coordination Unit UNDP DRM program funding
the project.
The UNDP/DMC Disaster Management Programme has selected the
particular site as a demonstrative site for Model Mitigations of Human
Elephant Conflict. Disaster Management Centre and UNDP Disaster
Management Programme collaboratively introduces a sustainable bio-fence
along the proposed electric fence.
This bio-fence is built with the consultation of Ministry of
Environment & Natural Resources. The policy planning division of
Ministry of Environment takes the leadership in close collaboration with
Disaster Management Centre and UNDP DRM Programme to implement the
proposed Bio-fence.
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources provides the technical
guidance to co-ordinate the implementation of the bio-fence. At present
40,000 plants were planted in nurseries which were established by the
community (Agave - 15,000, citrus - 9,000, bougainvillaea - 10,000 and
palmyrah - 6,000). UNDP DRM would from time to time make field visits to
the site to evaluate the progress and sustainability of bio-fence. It
hopes to take the results to the national level in order to introduce it
as a national policy.
Maintenances of bio-fence requires less financial resources than an
electric fence.
H.P.L.K. Nanayakkara is the Project Development and Planning Officer
of UNDP’s Disaster Management Programme. Project is managed by District
Secretary, Puttalam Divisional Secretary, Nawagaththegama and District
Disaster Coordination Unit, Puttalam. |