Root Causes for Human Elephant Conflict in Maduragama and Nelumewa villages in Puttalam Service Learning-Group B
Human elephant conflicts Mitigating actions? Electric fences Bio fences & etc Are they working? Then what is the correct action to stop these conflicts?
Map of the location
Nelumwewa. Maduragama. Main sources ofincome Agriculture Brick industry Coir Industry Sand mining Firewood collecting
Methodology 1.Taking advice from the resource persons in the university 2.Literature survey 3.Attending to a conference conducted on HEC 4.Questionnaire Survey 5.Field Visits
Field Trips and Interviewing Different Personnel. Survey Forum Visited relevant places like electric fence around the plant.
Data analysis of the questionnaire survey Root causes according to villagers perception.
Recognized roots Human population increase rapidly People invade elephants’ habitat Elephants face habitat loss and fragmentation Leads shortage of food, water, space and blockade of elephant passes. Elephants approach human settlements to fulfill their hunger and thirst
Elephants feed on crops and stored food Gradually they get addicted People try to chase Elephants get hurt They develop fear mixed anger towards humans Then start attacking people
Solutions for the current situation, Electric fence around each village Proper maintenance of the electric fence Introducing alternative sources of income except agriculture Maduragama – To stop attraction of elephants Nelumwewa – To stop people disturbing the elephant habitat