Researchers and elephants – we have a problem!
ohn Dewey said that “every great advance in science has come from a new audacity of imagination” and these acts of imagination have to come from researchers. The numbers for Sri Lanka appear to be really worrying as the critical mass necessary is seriously missing.
Research is investing money to generate knowledge. Today in Sri Lanka the country’s investment on R&D is estimated to be around 0.16% of GDP. This is not adequate and well below that of a LDC. Yet on actual terms some millions of US Dollars are spent on research and development.
In the public space there are around 66 research institutes and university faculties in the area of science and technology. These are spread over 21 line ministries. There is a trend of private sector research in science and technology growing too. As there is clearly a business intention when private sector R&D is taking place, there is much less visibility of quantitative data on private investments.
Scarcity of researchers
Innovation step returns money back based on the knowledge generated through investments. The first step is vital as innovation depends on research and research is primarily a researcher activity. Hence the importance of research is undisputed and the whole process depends on persons with integrity, patience and creativity. Researchers can come from many strata with research academics at universities and senior research scientists at institutions crowding the apex of positions.
There is no accurate current estimate of number of researchers (both full time and part time) and the process of estimation is not yet dynamic. Hopefully the Sri Lanka Innovation Dashboard which bagged the first place in recent e-Swabhimani awards in the Government category will provide us with a dynamic display of status. However, individual participation is vital to make the process a success.
Sri Lanka Innovation Dashboard expects to capture research and researchers and inventors at all levels. As per the National Science Technology and Innovation strategy document, the total number of all available researchers with PhDs in Universities at present in Sri Lanka is 1,160 (of which only less than 300 are currently supervising research degrees – producing an average of 20-50 research degrees a year, by 16 universities). This number of supervisors is inadequate to train the target of 20,000 researchers.
The larger number comes from UNESCO’s identified rule of thumb of number of researchers required to an economy of Sri Lanka which is a lower middle income economy. The value indicated for Sri Lanka is 278 in the 2013 estimate. Compare the position of Singapore with over 8,000 per million of population. There is definitely a scarcity of researchers.
We give great attention to elephants. An entire industry more or less depends on the presence of these majestic animals and religious places too cry foul when they cannot get the numbers necessary to parade on streets. All the interest however is not based on the welfare of the animals. The statistics indicate that the number of elephant population to be from 5,000-5,600 as per Department of Wildlife data. It appears that we more or less have the same number of elephants as researchers! While we really worry over the decline of the elephant population, researchers have been given scant attention. The repercussions are not on just one industry but on the whole economy.
Indian example
I place this story that is circulating with a purpose. Also being at Indian Institute of Science which is a Postgraduate Research University (modelled as per the John Hopkins University of USA) I know the relevance and the contribution that it makes. This is where high-end research is carried out within the country as in this case for India.
“Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata was once, travelling to Europe. As he stood there, at the door of his First Class Cabin in the steamliner, he noticed a lot of activity on the lower decks of the ship. On inquiring, he learned that a great Indian Saint, Shri Swami Vivekananda, was on board the same ship. Out of genuine respect and curiosity, J.N. Tata decided to pay a visit to the great saint.
“Swami Vivekananda had, of course, heard about the respected industrialist. As the conversation grew J.N. Tata explained that he was on his way to Germany. ‘I have with me sacks of soil: From various parts of India. I am taking these samples of soil to Germany. I wish to know if iron can be extracted profitably from any of these districts,’ said J.N. Tata to the Saint, to which Swami Vivekananda replied, ‘Well, Sir, even if these sacks contain iron-rich soil, do you honestly believe that the Europeans will tell you the truth? You must understand that no/none of the European Nations wish to see a strong/steel-rich/economically independent India. The soil is probably rich in iron-ore but the sad truth is all you will get from your inquiries across Europe is disbelief and pessimistic reactions.
“Needless to say, having interacted with several Europeans J.N. Tata knew this to be true. Swami Vivekananda continued, ‘Why don’t you start an excellent/up-to-date research facility and college here in India? Why don’t you train some good Indian youngsters to identify soil and conduct these tests and find ways of profitably extracting metals? It may seem like a wasteful; burdensome expenditure right now, but in the long run – it will save you many trips to Europe and you can have the assurance of knowing the truth quickly – rather than taking multiple opinions due to doubt.’
“As he could clearly sense J.N. Tata’s mood was in acquiescence, he further elaborated, ‘Seek an audience with the Maharaja of Mysore H.R.H. Wodeyar. Though a subordinate of the British, he will definitely help you in every way he can. H.R.H. Wodeyar has been generous enough to sponsor my own trip to Chicago to attend the Parliament of Religions.’ As soon as he returned to India, J.N. Tata headed straight for Mysore. And indeed, H.R.H. Chamraja Wodeyar did not disappoint him. The King granted 370 acres of land for the setting up of the Research Facility and College that J.N. Tata had envisioned and it was named the Indian Institute of Science.”
What is clearly indicated is most of the times crucial answers to your questions one needs to source from within. Thus when countries have critical mass of researchers there is the generation of knowledge and if the rest of the eco-system is present there is the option of investment of knowledge to generate revenue to the economy. These simple representations indicate the urgency for us in addressing this dearth.
This situation cannot be rectified overnight. Starting from higher purposeful investments by the Government, the task has to move forward within a defined timeframe. The political leadership has to come to a clear understanding of this national need and its potential returns upon implementation.
Research to the fore
When research is at frontiers there is the blurring of discipline boundaries. Today there is so much excitement at subject interfaces. The three dominant technology areas – information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology – are spawning many an area in areas of convergence. Almost unique developments are prophesied where all three converge. Bioinformatics was convergence of biotechnology and information technology.
Nanobiotechnology and bionanotechnology areas result from the interface of bio and nanotechnologies. Quantum computing is when nanotechnology and information technology interacts. The area where triple convergence occurs is an exciting frontier to be considered. One must admit that there is a fourth area that is emerging – neurotechnology (cognitive sciences) which push the boundaries even further.
Sri Lankan researchers through networking can and should engage in frontier research. If we strategically understand the research space there are areas where not only we can participate but perhaps lead too. Biomimetics offer significant opportunity. The combination of indigenous medicinal systems with modern science is another area. If Sri Lanka understands the value of strategic investments as had been shown with Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) host of other areas definitely opens up with possibilities – advanced nanomaterials and applications, information technologies in interfaces, renewable energy systems (biogas, microbial fuel cells, etc.).
With so many opportunities for engagement one should have an ecosystem which encourages and rewards young researchers to take on the seemingly impossible than stick to well traversed pathways. There again there is a responsibility on the Government in understanding the role of researchers in propelling the position of the country when a critical mass of researchers really get themselves engaged on frontier areas
Source Daily FT 08/12/2016 : http://www.ft.lk/article/584607/Researchers-and-elephants-%E2%80%93-we-have-a-problem-#sthash.PRgfdHvC.dpuf
Sri Lanka to shift farmers from elephant corridors
Sri Lanka today announced it was planning to relocate farmers living on the edges of forests inhabited by elephants to reduce the numbers killed on both sides.
Wildlife minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said the island’s elephant population had dropped to 6,000, from 7,379 counted five years ago, as deadly encounters between animals and humans increase.
“Although various measures like erecting of electric fences were taken to prevent human-elephant conflicts, so far this has not been resolved,” Perera said in a statement.
“Steps are being taken to resolve the issue by relocating the inhabitants in identified elephant migratory pathways.”
He did not say how many farmers would be relocated in 18 affected districts out of the island’s total of 25. But elephant expert Jayantha Jayewardene said he believed thousands were encroaching on elephant habitats and moving them would be a challenge.
“Sri Lankan elephants usually don’t migrate from one area to another, but what has happened is that thousands of farmers have encroached and split the traditional habitat of elephants.
“This means frequent clashes and we need a much more thought out plan to deal with the problem,” Jayewardene told AFP. “Evicting thousands of people will not be easy. One thing is sure, more elephants than people get killed in this battle.”
Elephants are considered sacred animals in Sri Lanka and killing them is a criminal offence, punishable by death.
But officials said there had been a rapid expansion of farms near wildlife parks, shrinking elephant habitats and causing frequent clashes between the two.
Official figures show 270 people and 942 elephants were killed in such encounters across the country over four years to 2014. Some 5,095 homes were damaged during the same period.
Wild elephants were also killed after being hit by trains and due to floods and lightening strikes. Female elephants are known to have been killed so that their babies can be snatched and kept as pets.
Owning a baby elephant is a status symbol in Sri Lanka although authorities recently began a crackdown against the trend.
Source : 15/09/2016 Business standard http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/sri-lanka-to-shift-farmers-from-elephant-corridors-116091400954_1.html
Protecting Sri Lanka’s elephant population
Mitigating the Human-Elephant Conflict and reducing the alarming rate at which elephants are currently being killed (about four per week) requires addressing various aspects of the problem simultaneously without resorting to stop gap, piece-meal solutions, asserts Srilal Miththapala.
In an interview with Daily FT, the passionate wildlife enthusiast, untiring advocate of conservation of wild elephants and experienced tourism professional points out that such a major multi-faceted campaign to address the HEC will need State patronage and leadership, together with a strong private sector partnership.
“Until there is a will from the Government to handle the HEC as a top priority in a holistic manner, I am afraid nothing much will happen, and we are doomed to see our wild elephant population eventually dying off,” he warns.
Following are excerpts:
Q: Elephants gather in Minneriya during the dry season due to the relative availability of water in the area. Are there signs that this pattern is being (or will be) disrupted due to climate change and more intense bouts of drought? If so what effect will this have on the park and on the elephants?
A: So far there has been no appreciable change to be noticed, even though there have been some changes in the weather patterns. The most critical element in this annual phenomena is the natural ebb and flow of the reservoir annually. Just as much as the reservoir getting filled during the rainy season is important, the gradually drying up of the reservoir during the draught is also important.
When the water recedes it leaves behind fertile, moist soil where lush grass quickly sprouts, which is good nutritious food for the wild elephants. So apart from changing weather patterns and other natural causes, if the reservoir is in any way artificially filled by channelling water from other sources for additional storage for irrigation purposes, it will affect this natural annual ‘ebb and flow’, resulting in disastrous consequences for ‘The Gathering’.
Q: You’ve written about the revenue making potential of ‘The Gathering’ but can Minneriya National Park handle an influx of tourists without deteriorating conditions for wildlife?
A: Yes I did estimate that ‘The Gathering’ is now worth about more than Rs. 1 billion annually. But I never did imply that it can go on increasing forever. There is a limit to the growth, and visitor influx has to be curtailed once there are signs of over-visitation and disruptions to the elephants’ feeding behaviour. I am told that this year the situation has reached unprecedented levels and that something needs to be done very urgently to curb over-visitation.
Q: Some environmentalists would argue that commercialisation of wildlife is categorically wrong and leads to abuse, as seen in Dehiwala Zoo or Yala. In your opinion, are profit and conservation compatible? What steps can we take to maintain a balance?
A: I think conservation and commercialisation can be compatible, but only if managed and balanced extremely carefully and ethically. The problem arises in maintaining this delicate balance. There must be no exploitation, no unethical use of captive animals, and above all they have to be well cared for and used for educational, and conservational purposes only.
Q: The Government has recently approved keeping a pool of around 35 elephants for peraheras – a solution that you have vocally supported in the past. Do you see this as a permanent solution or one step in phasing out elephants in religious and cultural activities?
A: Yes, I have supported this, and it has turned into a controversial issue now! So let me explain. Peraheras and elephants are a rich cultural and religious tradition in Sri Lanka, coming down from historical times. Having said that, traditions also need to change gradually overtime, as perceptions and the social environment changes… but not overnight. So I believe over a period of time, the custom of using tame elephants in pageants will, and should stop. Until then we need an interim solution.
We have a captive herd of some 80 odd elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage or PEO as it is known, most of whom have lived all their life in captivity. There is no way these animals could be rehabilitated and released into the wild, because they will just not know how to fend for themselves. So what some of us have suggested is to handpick a group of suitable elephants, from this source (PEO), with the correct temperament, and physique, to be trained and used in pageants as an interim measure. The orphanage could earn valuable income which can in turn be used for upkeep and improvement of its facilities.
As time goes by, if the human elephant conflict is managed and mitigated well, there will be fewer orphaned elephant calves from the wild, and ‘input’ to the PEO will reduce, and gradually such elephants available for ‘pageant duty’ will also reduce. Hopefully by that time people would have realised that having hundreds of elephants in pageants is not viable option, and we may see peraheras with just a few customary elephants in the procession, together with one with special characteristics to carry the relics.
Q: On what basis do you think these elephants should be selected and how should their numbers be replenished over the years? Furthermore, how do we ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of elephants who will be driven around the country and exposed to loud festivals on a regular basis?
A:As indicated earlier, they should be handpicked to ensure that only good, healthy individuals with the correct docile temperament are chosen. They should each have a dedicated fulltime mahout, who will ensure that the animal is properly transported, looked after and managed during such pageants. Proper transport facilities should be provided as a part of the hiring package offered by the PEO, and at all times the PEO should be able to monitor the elephants. There could be roster in place to ensure that some animals are not overused. Of course all this requires very strict guidelines and monitoring, which in itself is another challenge.
Q: Recently the issue of starving elephants has come up. What are some of the driving factors for this and what can be done in the short and medium term to address this problem?
A:I think you are referring to the issue brought up recently at a talk about elephants in wildlife parks being malnourished. This problem actually stems from the mismanagement of National Parks and alienation of elephants from other forest areas. Contrary to what many people believe, elephants are not particularly fond of heavily forested areas. They prefer scrub grass lands and other secondary vegetation. When they are confined to National Parks, and when translocated elephants from other areas are also introduced or herds driven into the parks, without any consideration of carrying capacity, these food sources dwindle and the elephants slowly start getting malnourished.
Large-scale proper management of the flora of the park has to be carried out in a symmetric manner to help re-generate these food sources that the elephants need. A prime example of this is the Uda Walawe National Park (UWNP), which had one of the best thriving and healthy populations of wild elephants in Sri Lanka. Overcapacity has gradually eroded the environment and food sources in the park, and with no interventions to stimulate re-growth of the eroded grassland, it is now beginning to show, with several emaciated looking individuals being sighted now.
Over 65% of the wild elephant population of the island live outside protected areas, which often have much richer and nutritious food sources. The easiest ‘solution’ to the HEC in the name of conservation is to drive these elephants into the parks, further aggravating the problems within the parks… when actually the need is to manage these animals outside the protected areas itself.
This is a good example to show that the HEC cannot be solved by a few quick-fix solutions. There has to be a management plan for these peripheral areas, many of which do not come under the purview of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, but under the Forest Department, which then opens out complex issues of jurisdiction and responsibility.
Q: Finally, do you feel the tide is turning when it comes to elephant conservation efforts? Is Sri Lanka progressing in terms of preserving if not growing its elephant population? What are some of the policies and factors responsible for this?
A: Unfortunately I do not think the tide is turning at all. There is still no cohesive and holistic approach to tackle the Human Elephant Conflict (HEC), with only typical ‘kneejerk’ responses to problems. Take for example the recent incident where four elephants were knocked down by a train and killed. The immediate solution is fitting infra-red cameras on trains. This problem has been discussed so many times before, analysed and solutions suggested.
There are a whole range of issues which have to be addressed here. The attitude of the engine drivers, the speeds of the trains and stopping distances, visibility around bends and line of sight, etc. I know that Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya travelled on a train several years ago to see for himself the issues and understand the complexities. What a few us concluded was that no ONE solution would work, and that there needed to be a multi-pronged, cohesive solution, addressing both the hard and soft issues.
Similarly mitigating the HEC, and reducing the alarming rate at which elephants are currently being killed (about four per week) requires addressing various aspects of the problem simultaneously, in a cohesive, focused, organised sustained manner, without resorting to stop gap, piece-meal solutions. Such a major multi-faceted campaign to address the HEC will need State patronage and leadership, together with a strong private sector partnership.
So until there is a will from the Government to handle the HEC as a top priority in a holistic manner, I am afraid nothing much will happen, and we are doomed to see our wild elephant population eventually dying off. –
Source : 29/08/2016 Dailly FT http://www.ft.lk/article/564056/Protecting-Sri-Lanka-s-elephant-population#sthash.oNgiT8C3.dpuf
Elephant-human conflict, the most crucial issue not even identified
Since 1950, a minimum of 4,200 elephants have perished in the wild as a direct result of the conflict between man and elephant in Sri Lanka. During the last 12 years, a total of 1,464 elephants were killed, along with 672 humans
The suffering of poor farmers due to invading elephants is being highlighted practically every-day in media and newspapers. According to media reports, elephants invade farmers’ cultivations, destroy crops and damage their homes.
Villagers demand that the Government should build electric fences to safeguard them from invading elephants. Meanwhile, environmental organisations complain of the numbers of elephants killed due to gunshot wounds as well as jaw-blasting explosives (hakkapatas) used by the farmers, and those fall into farmers’ unprotected wells and irrigation channels.
Reducing elephant population
Centuries ago, elephants were widely distributed from the sea level to the highest mountain ranges. Portuguese complained of elephants approaching their fortress in Colombo in the evenings. From early 19th century, British rulers sold the upcountry forest lands for commercial plantations of coffee, and afterwards tea.
Until 1830, elephants were so plentiful, the British declared the elephant as an agricultural pest and their destruction was encouraged. The British indulged in shooting elephants as a sport and an army major was supposed to have killed over 1,500 elephants. Between 1829 and 1855 alone, more than 6,000 elephants were captured or shot. The shooting of elephants drove the remnant herds to the lowlands. Currently, there are no elephants in the hill country, except for a small herd that migrates occasionally.
By the turn of the 20th century, elephants were still distributed over much of the island. The ‘Resident Sportsman’s Shooting Reserve,’ an area reserved for the sporting pleasure of British residents, is the current Ruhuna National Park. In the early 20th century, dry zone ancient reservoirs were reconstructed for irrigated agriculture, irrigation systems were rehabilitated and people were resettled. After independence, Gal Oya, Uda Walawa, Mahaveli and other development schemes resulted clearing many thousands of acres. As a result, elephant habitat in the dry zone has been severely fragmented.
During Lanka’s armed conflict, elephants were killed or crippled by land mines. Between 1990 and 1994, a total of 261 wild elephants died either as a result of gunshot injuries, or were killed by poachers and land mines. Between 1999 and 2006 nearly 100 wild elephants were killed every year. In 2006 a total of 160 elephants were killed.
The Sri Lankan elephant population is now largely restricted to lowlands in the dry zone, east and southeast. Elephants are present in wild life reserves and a small remnant population exists in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. Apart from Wilpattu and Ruhuna National Parks, all other protected regions are less than 1,000 km2 in extent. Many areas are less than 50km2, and not large enough to encompass the entire home ranges of elephants that use them.
In the Mahaweli Development Area, protected areas as Wasgomuwa, Flood Plains, Somawathiya and Trikonamadu national parks have been linked to give an overall area of 1,172km2 of contiguous habitat for elephants. However, elephants in this country seem to feel shy of using corridors designed by man. Resulting, about 65% of the country’s elephants range extends outside the protected areas into human settlements and agricultural areas. It is claimed that Sri Lanka has the highest density of elephants in Asia.
The “Sri Lankan elephant” (Elephas maximus) is one of three recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the previous 60-75 years.
Domesticating elephants
Sri Lanka has a long history of domesticating elephants – back to the times when Sinhala Kings kept them for military purposes and to enhance the majesty of their reign. Today, domesticated elephants are engaged in following work:
- Logging – particularly in forested areas
- Construction – Historically elephants have played a big role in the construction of ancient historical cities.
- Tourism – elephants are engaged to give tourists rides. The elephant orphanage at Pinnawela operated by the National Zoological Gardens is a big tourist attraction.
- Ceremonies and temple work – Elephants participate in annual temple processions all over the country. Often they are richly caparisoned and are central to proceedings. Other elephants are permanently kept at temples and houses as a status symbol.
Feeding the elephants
An elephant consumes up to 150kg of plant matter per day. According to experts, local elephants feed on a total of 116 plant species, including 27 species of cultivated plants. More than half of the consumed plants are non-tree species as shrubs, herbs and climbers and 19% are grass. Young elephants tend to feed mostly on grass varieties. About 5 sq.km of land is needed to support an elephant in its forest habitat.
Human-elephant conflict
With the reduction of their habitats, elephant population have broken up and some herds have got pocketed in small patches of jungle. With their movement restricted, food and water sources depleted, elephants wander into new cultivated areas, which were their former habitat, in search of food and find a ready source of food and even stored paddy is not spared.
With their large size and equally large appetites, elephants can easily destroy the entire cultivation of a farmer in a single night. Therefore the farmers look upon the elephant as a dangerous pest and would rarely regret its disappearance from their area. Thus the conflict between man and elephant has become the most serious conservation problem facing the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The ecological and social costs of clearing forests to resettle villagers have proved to be very high.
Since 1950, a minimum of 4,200 elephants have perished in the wild as a direct result of the conflict between man and elephant in Sri Lanka. During the last 12 years, a total of 1,464 elephants were killed, along with 672 humans.
Causes of conflict
The conflict between the two parties is due to the food shortage to the elephants caused by:
- Reducing forest area due to development works
- The rape of the forests
- Villagers encroaching into forests
- Grasslands being used by farmers’ cattle
- Low forest quality
Reduced forest area
During the past few centuries forest area was reduced due to cultivations, depriving elephants their natural habitats. The lands consist of mountainous and valleys or rolling lands with highlands and low valleys. Over the centuries, top soil from mountains and highlands got washed off due to rain and sediments were deposited in valleys. These fertile valleys support lush vegetation and provide most food to elephants.
During the development schemes, the lands below the irrigation canals were allocated to settlers, and mountains and highlands with poor soils were earmarked as animal sanctuaries. But none looked into the ability of the high lands to supply animal needs.
The rape of the forests
Along with the reduction of forest area, the quality of forests that produced food for the elephants and other animals reduced due to human action. With the increase in human population demand for timber increased, which were obtained from the forests. Today, timbers as satin and ebony with their 200-year maturity are almost extinct.
Most hardwoods take long years to mature; they also make low demand from the soil fertility and even water. The grain patterns of their wood, a result from the dry and wet spells the tree underwent over the long growing period. Today, most popular timber varieties have disappeared from forests. While our indigenous valuable trees have disappeared, spaces they occupied were replaced by fast growing and quick multiplying thorny invasive plants, mostly imported to the country as ornamental plants. Today, most of our forests constitute of shrubs, devoid of tall trees.
Village encroachment
During colonisation, landless families were settled in development schemes. After decades, with children grown up and raising families of their own, original lands are insufficient. They encroach into low fertile valleys depriving elephants from their food supply. While villagers encroach into forests, authorities under political pressure turn a blind eye. When elephants enter their traditional lands, villagers complain and demand electric fences to keep elephants at bay. Even the elephant corridors are not safe from encroachment.
Grasslands being used by farmers’ cattle
Grass are a major component of elephant’s food and is found mostly in lands undergoing periodical floods, also reservoir beds when water levels go down. Cattle farmers have found convenient to drive their cattle into traditional elephant grasslands, depriving elephants their food.
Low forest quality
With the forests being deprived of their tall trees for human needs, their slow growth give rise to gaps being filled with shrubs. The eating habits of elephants reduce foliage of consumable plants, meanwhile non-consumables, especially thorny shrubs continue to expand. Currently, most forests are being filled with thorny shrubs.
Wildlife conservation
During the last century, Sri Lanka has established probably the widest, wildlife conservation areas in Asia. Most located in the low country dry zone, where human pressure was not serious enough to prevent the recovery of elephant numbers. The recovery was slow at first, but under the management of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), the number of elephants seems to have picked up.
The DWC has identified several areas where the elephant-human conflict has become serious and has adopted following conservation measures to mitigate the conflicts:
- Elephant deterrence – the use of noise, flashes and shock tactics to chase elephants
- Establishment of new National Parks and increasing the size of conservation areas.
- Establishment of elephant corridors – to allow the safe passage of elephants from one habitat area to another.
- Habitat enrichment of elephant areas to enhance carry capacity
- Translocation of elephants to less populated areas
- Electrical fencing – forming solid barriers between farmland and elephant habitat
- Ex-site conservation and breeding programme
- Control poaching
- Synergising elephant conservation with economic development.
Today, conservation efforts are in full force to protect the species. Under Sri Lankan law, the penalty for killing an elephant is death.
Enforcing legislation
Although killing of an elephant could bring death penalty, never has been an occasion when a culprit was brought to court, although the entire village is aware of the gunmen and the users of ‘hakkapatas’. If the Grama Sevaka is questioned when the elephants are attacked or when forests are set on fire some control of elephant killing could be averted.
Invasive plants
While elephant numbers remained comparatively high, their food supply has decreased drastically, with the loss of their habitual grounds due to deforestation, irrigation schemes, human settlements and encroachment. Many reasons are brought out for elephant attacks on village settlement, but the most important reason is not even mentioned: the gradual reduction of availability of food (leaves) to elephants, due to widespread encroachment of mostly thorny, fast-spreading invasive plants into jungles, shrubs to low and even highlands of the country. This aspect has not been raised even by the Environmental organisations.
Amongst the invaders are giant mimosa (maha nidikumba) brought to the country on the backs of goats as food for IPKF senior staff, now are widespread all over the country. A few decades ago, Spiny bamboo (Katu una), ‘Bambusa bambos’ was planted in Minneriya Wild Reserve to provide long fibre material for the Valachanai Paper Factory. The factory never used the bamboo, but the plant has been spreading fast in the park. The bamboo does not serve any purpose and the thorns on the plant keep the elephants away.
Our entire country, jungles, shrubs, household gardens, marshes and even the Horton Plains has been inundated by invasive plants. Some of them are commonly known by Sinhala names giving the impression of being indigenous plants, for example Wel Atha “Annona glabra” originating from West Indies. From the low land opposite the Ministry of Environment to marsh adjoining Weras Ganga Park bordering Bellanwila temple are almost covered with Wel Atha and indigenous plants as Kadol have disappeared. Gandapana “Lantana camara” from W. Indies and Podisingho-maran or Eupatorium (Japan Lantana) are spread throughout the dry low country. In addition, Andara (Dichrostachys cinerea) and Giant eraminiya are widespread.
A common factor in all above are being thorny and are not consumed by any animal (except the fruit) and are fast-spreading. An indigenous plant Diyapara “Dillenia triquetra” (similar to Godapara, but shorter and grows in marshes) is fast spreading especially in the marshes and adjoining high grounds in the south and west is visible when travelling on the Southern Highway.
Settlement of conflict
The basic reason for the conflict is the shortage of food to elephants resulted from clearing of jungles, removing valuable jungle trees and plants, encroachment of low fertile valleys by villagers, taking over of natural grasslands by cattle farmers and poorly-planned elephant corridors. To prevent further complication of the problem and to avoid elephant attacks on village settlements, further encroachment of lands by farmers need to be completely stopped and the villages heavily subjected to elephant attacks need to be relocated, although the move even on encroached land would be heavily resisted by villagers and some politicians.
But the most important reason is the encroachment of thorny invasive shrubs, filling the voids created by felling of trees and clearing jungles. As these invasive shrubs are not consumed by animals, their growth continue unabated with their prolific multiplying character. These invasive plants are not confined to jungles, but have spread over the entire country. The complete destruction of these plants is an urgent necessity to safeguard our environment, agriculture and to provide food to elephants, wild animals and cattle. They are also a threat to indigenous plants, Kadol (Rhizophora mucronata) has been almost wiped out by Wel Atha. These invasive plants need to be removed and destroyed, in addition the gaps caused by the removal need to be replaced by indigenous trees, plants and grass varieties consumed by elephants.
The threat created by the invasive plants is the heaviest environmental damage the country had undergone, but was not recognised. Their eradication and the replacement with indigenous plants, would involve producing and planting millions of plants in wide variety, would be beyond the capacity of any private or Government agency. The only possibility is the mobilisation of the Government Armed Forces who would have to face a bigger enemy than the LTTE, and elimination of the enemy may take over 30 years, considering that left-over roots could reappear with the next rain. The task would be the responsibility of Minister for Environment who also happens to be the Commander of the Armed Forces.
Our President has been addressing the school children on environmental issues, now is the time to match the words with deeds. Over to you, Mr. President.
Injured giant
Sri Lanka as a nation has an enormous debt to pay to the wild elephants for safeguarding the areas of the present northern province, north central province, eastern province as well as Puttalam district for seven centuries. During this time, the island’s sovereigns completely abandoned Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and the entire Rajarata and shifted the seats of administration and capitals to the western, northwestern and central provinces: Kurunegala, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte and Kandy.
King Parakramabahu the Great ruled for 33 years from 1153 AC to 1186 AC. Unfortunately, he died without issue and 13 sovereigns of whom ten were kings, two were queens and one was a three-month old infant ruled from 1189 to 1214 AC. of them, the only noteworthy sovereign, who was able to maintain the massive network of irrigation works constructed by King Parakramabahu the Great and also uphold the Buddhist traditions which climaxed under the king, was King Nissankamalla. However he could rule only for nine years from 1187 AC, as he died in 1196 AC. Eleven sovereigns followed thereafter in quick succession till 1214 AC, when a foreign despot known as Kalinga Magha wrested authority at Polonnaruwa. He and his depraved troops plundered and destroyed the entire Rajarata. By the end of 21, years of Kalinga Magha’s barbaric rule, there was massive depopulation and the Rajarata plunged into the depths of penury and the jungle crept back to hide all the traces of the former grand civilisation.
It was only the widespread and eternal presence of elephants that prevented travellers, especially from the Arabian peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, who were frequent arrivals to Sri Lanka, from making inroads into the interior inland areas to establish settlements. The wild elephants also safeguarded the Buddhist shrines and various other historical monuments from treasure-hunters and vandals. When the Somawathy Chaitya, where a sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined, was discovered in 1947, its vicinity was full of wild elephants and it has been observed by many that wild elephants visit the Chaitya around midnight to pay respects.
During the British Colonial period, a foreign vandal, who was taking aim to shoot at one of the Buddhist statues at the famous Gal Viharaya at Polonnaruwa, was killed, before he could release the trigger, by an elephant. It emerged suddenly from the forest behind him. These indicate that the wild elephants have been a source of extraordinary protection to the Buddhist places of worship whether they were in ruins or not, since the 13th century.
Army of wild elephants
The profusion of elephants that captain Robert Knox, a captive of the island’s king of Kandy, had encountered during the week of his escapade by fleeing through the jungle along the Malvatu Oya from Anuradhapura to the maritime boundry of the Dutch near Arippu in 1679 gives an indication of the density of the elephant population in the jungles of these areas at that time. The extreme mortal fear created by wild elephants in these jungles was as great as the oppressive fear the people had of the barbaric capital punishments of the ruling autocratic monarchs further down south of the island. It was this army of wild elephants which kept all the unauthorised activities of jungle clearing, settlements, treasure hunting and vandalism at bay.
Reverend Phillipus Baldaeus, a Dutch priest, who was in Ceylon for nine years, published a book titled ‘A true and exact description of the great island of Ceylon’. It was translated from Dutch to English by a Ceylonese, Pieter Brohier, and published in 1960. Out of the nine years, he spent one year at Matara and the rest in Manner and Jaffna districts, where he conducted missionary activities. He refers to elephants abounded in these districts and records a personal encounter with an elephant while travelling between Manner and Jaffna and even condoles the death of the chief of the elephant catchers in the Manner region by an elephant. In his description of the 11 churches built in Jaffna during his tenure, he mentions that the surroundings of the church at Pulopalai was subject to depredations of wild elephants. An illustration of this, depicting a herd of elephants and the wild palm trees felled by them, is also presented in the book.
Pulopalai is in Jaffna close to Elephant Pass. Further in his map of Vanni and Jaffna, the presence of elephants is indicated as extending right up to the boundary of Jaffna lagoon from Kilinochchi.
British colonial era
During the British colonial period, when the forests in wet zone were cleared for planting coffee, tea and rubber, the killing of elephants by shooting occurred in a massive scale. Shooting of elephants also occurred in the dry zone and intermediate zone by irate farmers for the protection of the settlements and cultivations with whatever type of guns they could lay their hands on, licensed or unlicensed, serviceable or unserviceable, imported or locally, turned out. When reading through the accounts of the exploits of shooting of elephants by hunters, who called themselves ‘ sportsman’ the descriptions of dead elephants invariably mention of innumerable gunshot injuries all over the body and these hunters have been the ones who fired the final fatal shots with their modern rifles to kill the elephants. The farmers have at most times shot elephants while perched atop their watch huts, built well above the range of the extended trunks of elephants, on strong trees.
The accounts of the pastimes of these ‘sportsman’ end with the grim tales of butchery for the removal of the forelegs, ears, tails and teeth of elephants for souvenirs as well as umbrella and walking stick stands for the porches of their bungalows. Actually from the commencement of the British colonial era up to now, the elephants have had no respite from being at the receiving end of bullets and suffering, for with the clearing of lands for the Galoya, Udawalawe and the Mahaweli projects, the last of which is still continuing, new colonists, settled in the former elephant habitats, continue to main and kill elephants using more and more sinister ways in addition to shooting.
Dr R L Spittel, the celebrated author, anthropologist and environmentalist of Sri Lanka, sounded these forebodings very succinctly in the editorial of the June 1951 issue of the ‘Loris’, the magazine of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, when large extents of hitherto elephant habitats were getting cleared for the projects at Galoya and Udawalawe.
The wild elephants are our biggest national asset and deserve a better treatment than being confined to the sixteen national parks and sanctuaries to eke out a living and get shot or electrocuted or die of bomb blasts in the mouth or get run over and killed by vans and trucks or railways or even get their calves stolen from them the moment they step out of the national parks or sanctuaries.
Currently 35 elephant calves, which were harboured in private premises, whose owners did not have valid legal documents to retain the calves, have been sent to the two state run elephant orphanages at Pinnawela and Udawalawe by the relevant authorities. The public are still not aware as to how these calves were procured from the wilds. Because elephants have become sources of easy income today from elephant rides and safaris for tourists as well as hiring out of elephants for religious processions, surreptitious capturing of elephant calves by contract catchers is a very serious threat to the survival of the wild elephants. Incidentally one cannot avoid wondering how elephant kidnappings have happened in such a massive scale in this country which only a few years earlier gained a notable victory over one of the most powerful terrorist organisations of the world.
Tragic consequences
Of the five continents in the world, elephants are found in only the two continents of Africa and Asia. The African elephant is Loxodonta africana and its two subspecies are the ‘Savannah elephant’ (Loxodonta africana africana) and the ‘Forest elephant’ (Loxodonta africana zyclotis).
The Asian elephant is Elephes maximus and there are three subspecies known as the ‘Ceylon elephant’ (Elephes maximus maximus) ‘Sumatran elephant’ (Elephes maximus sumatriana) and the ‘Indian elephant’ (Elephen maximus indice). The ‘Ceylon Elephant’ is found only in Sri Lanka and in the biggest of the Asian elephants.
The Solution to the ‘Elephant – Human-Conflict’ resulting in tragic consequences for both elephants and humans is long overdue. One is inclined to think that the elephants were forgotten entities in the land clearing equations at the planning stage of the mega projects of the Galoya, Udawalawe and the Mahaweli and the solution were from ideas which cropped up later as the ‘elephant problems’ were getting out of hand. Is it not better for us, even at this large stage, to have a sound, far sighted elephant conservation policy which can also be integrated into an economic development policy of the dry zone, which comprises 58 percent of the island’s land mass?
(Source : 18/07/2016 Daily News http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2016/07/18/features/87795)
Torture of elephants : discussion of wildlife and environment
“Thilina Gamage” is a pleasant young non-controversial magistrate, who was charged under the Public Property Act for rearing a baby elephant valued at Rs.6.9 million allegedly without a valid licence. It is also alleged that he has been evading Courts awaiting the outcome of his application for anticipatory bail. His defence is said to be that the person from whom he bought the elephant calf is in possession of a valid receipt. Many other cases are pending with more wrong doings and inquiries which are shelved and swept under the carpet for obvious reasons.
Another owner of an elephant calf was a powerful member of the legislature under the previous regime. He had become a multimillionaire within few years and it is unlikely that his matter will come to the surface because he has agreed to cross over and divulge information. “Thilina’s” matter is given wide publicity as the other case of a famous Buddhist Monk allegedly rearing an elephant calf unlawfully. Presumably he may have crossed the path in some way to get into this soup unlike many other illegal elephant owners who are unconcerned and unaffected. There are cases pending and our area of discussion is limited and restricted to general information and facts that are of public interest. Wide publicity is given to this case and the facts which are somewhat unusual and concerns environmentalists, activists, professionals and the media.
Whether a magistrate could afford to purchase and maintain an elephant calf is a matter left to him, but whether he has complied with the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of 1937 amended in 2009 is the main issue to be considered. Section 23 of the Act states that any elephant which has not been registered under S/23, shall be presumed to be taken or removed without lawful authority with such elephants deemed to be public property. An elephant needs 150 kg of food and 150 litres of water a day and the cost of maintenance including the salary to the mahout is beyond an average citizen. These facts are common to all involved in the illegal trade still flourishing with the help of the rich and powerful.
Elephants are Intelligent Social Animals
Elephants are intelligent, social, society inclined and socially complex animals living in herds with a leader and bonded together in loving and peaceful environments. They keep away from other animals and other animals keep elephants at arm’s length except tigers and scavengers taking immature calves as prey amid ferocious resistance from the mother. They are full of family bonds, social and lovable harmless creatures unless they are threatened and their habitat is disturbed. They are a part of the environment preserving the environment, and the beauty of the jungle and jungle life.
Elephants are connected to Sri Lankan culture and customs and during the time of the Kings, wealth was assessed on the ownership of elephants. This system trickled down for generations considering the elephant as a symbol of social status. Kings and the rich only could own elephants presented and permitted to be owned by Royal decree. The situation changed after colonization when the British took to the killing of elephants to reduce the number for convenience. Due to the import of heavy vehicles and the introduction of the train service, the use of the elephant was confined to customary rituals such as the Perahera, a status symbol and a tourist attraction. Today an elephant has become one of the most expensive merchandise.
Snatching Baby Elephants from the Jungle
Snatching baby elephants from the jungle has attracted illegal traders because of the millions of rupees involved in the illegal trade equal to or more lucrative than the drug trade. It is a simple operation with the help of politicians, the powerful and the rich with the connivance of the Wildlife Department staff who are supposed to protect the elephants and wildlife from rogues.
The mother elephant is shot and killed to separate the calf which is tied or transported out and a veterinary surgeon’s certificate and the birth certificate are taken for the name to be entered in the elephant registration book which is a controversial book discussed in a number of cases against the leader “Ali Roshan” (Elephant Roshan) and other illegal elephant traders . It is a well-established illegal trade with large acres of land and heavy vehicles for the transport of calves and a lot of money to spend on politicians, Wildlife Department and the cronies in the system which are highlighted in the media and case records of ‘Ali Roshan’ and his accomplices are accused in other cases which have been given wide publicity.
VijithaVijumuni Soysa has been the wildlife minister for a considerable period until he crossed over to the Yahpalanaya” Good Governance for safety of absolving himself of any wrong doings. He said most of the domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka had been acquired illegally and would take steps to make it legal. He makes funny and controversial statements now and then on the matter.
Way Forward
Elephants are our treasure and a symbol of culture from the time of Kings who respected and protected the animal, which is a part and parcel of our environment and wealth. They go through torture in captivity with no food and additional torture during transit and living under pathetic conditions. Methods used to capture them are barbaric and illegal. The human-elephant conflict is due to the invasion of their habitats by unplanned deforestation and development projects.
We are proud to have 8,873 elephants with the numbers decreasing rapidly due to the human-elephant conflict and lack of coordination and the non-implementation of the Act and the absence of preventive measures. Organized groups snatch elephant calves from the jungle and sell them for millions with forged papers which are controversial amid the alteration of the elephant registration book. We do not need outsiders to ruin us and our culture. We are ruining ourselves, our environment and our cultural heritage in temples and wildlife with the most uncommon animals in the globe. It is time to demand zero elephant private ownership and minimize the use of elephants in peraheras in the interest of the future of the Nation.
Elephant populated areas such as Habarana must be declared as elephant habitats and protected with live wires with chena cultivators being provided alternative land. One must read the campaign for elephants welfare in the countries with no elephants or greenery. We do not realise the value of the elephant and the culture and environment connected to them because we are fortunate to possess this rare environments. Citizens are not concerned or worried about the cases and the parties involved, but if something good is the outcome of the cases they will be happy and contented. May this message will reach the people in power.
(Source :04/06/2016 Daily Mirror ( Sri Lanka ) http://www.dailymirror.lk/110453/Torture-of-elephants-#sthash.NoofVB20.dpuf)