In the verdant wilderness of Sri Lanka, a growing crisis unfolds as the co-existence of humans and elephants teeters on a dangerous edge. The serene island witnesses a grim tally of elephant fatalities skyrocketing, with 151 deaths recorded between 1 January and 28 April, where at least 67 were attributed to human intervention including shootings (38) and electrocutions from electric fences. The crisis deepened with the disclosure that by 14 July 2023, the death toll surged to 238 elephants, with at least one elephant facing slaughter daily on average, a stark manifestation of a dire human-elephant conflict (HEC).
The alarming statistics are not one-sided; humans too bear the brunt of this clash, with livelihoods jeopardized, prompting the Sri Lankan authorities to devise a National Action Plan for the Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict in December 2020.
The plan, envisioned as a pathway towards harmonious coexistence, stresses a shared responsibility paradigm, veering away from the sole reliance on the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), an approach deemed unsustainable given the expanding conflict zone engulfing 60% of the island. It proposes the establishment of a Presidential Task Force, a move yet to materialize, as part of a broader initiative to address the burgeoning crisis.
Amidst the bureaucratic inertia, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi recently revealed steps to bolster the DWC’s capacity by recruiting multi-purpose officers, a proposal awaiting Cabinet approval. This initiative, coupled with a new policy outline, aims to launch a multi-dimensional programme to mitigate the HEC, eventually transmuting the policy into law.
On a distressing note, the accidental shooting of a female elephant on 30 September 2023 by a wildlife officer, now under arrest, spotlighted the urgency for robust measures to curb such incidents. The incident, a microcosm of a larger malaise, mirrors the exigency to transform the conflict into coexistence, as advocated by Prakash.
The relentless toll on Sri Lanka’s elephant population, nudging them towards an ‘endangered’ status, accentuates the urgency for a collaborative endeavor to protect these majestic beings. As Sri Lanka grapples with this intricate dilemma at the crossroads of ecology, society, and economics, the unequivocal implementation of the National Action Plan emerges as a potential beacon of hope, capable of rewriting the tragic narrative of Sri Lanka’s human-elephant conflict. The time to act is now, to forestall irreversible repercussions, ensuring the serene island does not lose its emblematic gentle giants.
Various engineering disciplines can contribute significantly to mitigating the issue of elephant fatalities on railroads and other human-elephant conflicts (HECs) in Sri Lanka. Here are some suggestions based on different engineering fields
Civil and Structural Engineering
Barrier Construction: Design and construct physical barriers like fences, trenches, or underpasses to deter elephants from entering railroad tracks or human settlements.
Elevated Tracks: Design elevated railroad tracks in areas with high elephant activity to allow safe passage underneath.
Mechanical Engineering
Barrier Mechanisms: Create mechanical barriers or gates that can be activated to prevent elephant access to certain areas when required.
Noise Deterrent Systems: Develop systems that use non-harmful noise deterrents to ward off elephants from danger zones.
Computer Engineering and Information Technology
Monitoring and Data Analysis: Create software systems for real-time monitoring and data analysis to track elephant movements, predict potential conflicts, and inform relevant authorities.
Machine Learning and AI: Utilize machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze patterns in elephant behavior and movements, aiding in the prediction and prevention of HECs.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Early Warning Systems: Develop and implement early warning systems using sensors to detect elephant movements near railroad tracks, and relay alerts to train drivers and authorities.
Electric Fencing: Design humane electric fences that deter rather than harm elephants, using technology to manage and monitor these fences effectively.
Communication Engineering
Real-time Communication Systems: Establish reliable communication systems for timely information exchange between monitoring stations, train drivers, and authorities regarding elephant movements.
Environmental Engineering
Habitat Restoration: Engage in habitat restoration projects to ensure elephants have sufficient natural habitat, reducing their need to venture into human settlements or across railroad tracks.
Water Management: Design and implement water management systems to ensure water availability in elephant habitats, reducing their need to migrate.
Transportation Engineering
Traffic Management Systems: Develop traffic management systems that can adjust train schedules or speeds in real-time based on the presence of elephants near or on the tracks.
Alternative Routes: Plan and design alternative railroad routes that avoid crossing through known elephant habitats and migration corridors.
Geotechnical Engineering
Soil and Terrain Analysis: Conduct soil and terrain analysis to identify safe and natural migration corridors for elephants, aiding in the design of barriers and underpasses.
Aerospace Engineering
Drone Technology: Employ drones for aerial monitoring of elephant movements and human-elephant conflict zones, providing real-time data to authorities.
Biomedical Engineering
Animal Monitoring Devices: Design and create monitoring devices that can be safely attached to elephants to track their movements and monitor their health.
The ongoing human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka, accentuated by rising elephant deaths from various human-induced factors, calls for immediate action. The National Action Plan devised in December 2020, although promising, has seen delays in critical implementations like the establishment of a Presidential Task Force. Amidst the alarming rate of elephant fatalities, engineers from diverse fields have a pivotal role to play in devising infrastructural and technological solutions such as barriers, early warning systems, and habitat restoration projects. A collaborative effort encompassing policy enforcement, engineering innovations, and community engagement is crucial for mitigating this conflict, highlighting the urgent need for a holistic approach to ensure sustainable coexistence between humans and elephants in Sri Lanka.