January 09, Colombo (LNW): The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has formally called on the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) to immediately suspend all unsystematic elephant drives, which have been contributing to the escalating human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka.
In a strongly worded letter of demand, the CEJ raised concerns about the apparent lack of scientific methodology and ecological understanding behind the DWLC’s approach to elephant drives, which are often conducted without adequate research into herd structures, movement patterns, or the broader environmental implications.
The CEJ argues that these drives are causing serious and unintended harm to both elephants and nearby human populations.
Elephants are considered a keystone species in the ecosystems they inhabit, and the social structures within their herds are intricate, often guided by matriarchal leadership.
The CEJ expressed alarm that these drives, which forcibly move elephants at high speeds, fail to consider the herd composition or the individual needs of vulnerable members, such as elderly elephants and young calves.
In many instances, these animals are left behind as they cannot keep up with the herd, leading to their abandonment.
Once separated, these stranded individuals face heightened risks of starvation, dehydration, and predation, further exacerbating their suffering.
The CEJ also pointed out that these forced relocations disrupt the elephants’ ability to access familiar water sources and foraging grounds, which are crucial for their survival.
Elephants are highly adaptive and rely on their knowledge of their home territory to meet their dietary and social needs.
When relocated to unfamiliar, resource-depleted areas, these animals struggle to find adequate food and water, causing undue stress, malnutrition, and a rise in mortality rates.
The environmental group stressed that the continued practice of such unsystematic elephant drives is not only damaging to the elephant population but also undermines long-term conservation efforts and risks further destabilising the fragile ecosystems.
In light of these grave concerns, the CEJ has issued a stern warning to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, stating that if their demands are not met, they will pursue legal action to protect Sri Lanka’s elephants and the delicate ecosystems that depend on them.
The group emphasised the need for more comprehensive and ecologically sensitive strategies to mitigate the impact of human expansion on wildlife and ensure the protection of Sri Lanka’s iconic elephant populations for generations to come.
