Rs. 100m to address human-elephant conflict

by Mohammed NAALIR

The Government has allocated Rs. 100 million through the Budget 2012 to address the human-elephant conflict, Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena told the Sunday Observer.

The Minister expressed confidence that the human-elephant conflict could be reduced by 75 percent next year. Eighty six persons were killed in 2010 which declined to 50 this year; it is expected to come down further by next year. Four elephant sanctuaries will be set up in Lunugamvehera, Horowpathana, Galgamuwa and Maduru-Oya.

An electric fence will be set up for these sanctuaries. Trenches will also be dug in these areas to prevent wild elephants from entering the villages, according to Minister Chandrasena.

He noted that if sufficient food was provided to elephants in the forest, the pachyderms entering villages can be prevented. Food items will be purchased from the farmers in the area for this purpose.Minister Chandrasena said 250 persons will be employed in the areas where the electricity fence is erected, to protect people from electrocution. He said Rs. 500,000 will be granted in the case of death as a result of elephant attacks, Rs. 200,000 for damaged houses, Rs. 200,000 for damaged Land Masters and equipment, Rs. 3,000 for destroyed coconut trees and Rs. 30,000 for an acre of destroyed paddy field. Compensation will be in effect from January.

The Wildlife Ministry has also worked out plans to attract tourists.

The Government has allocated Rs. 4 million to develop elephant sanctuaries, the Minister said.