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How many more lives have to be lost in this jumbo problem?
View(s):The human-elephant conflict that has claimed a number of lives has turned ugly with authorities failing to address the burning issue. Over the past decade more than 1,500 elephants and about 700 people were killed. Last year 66 people and 252 elephants died as a result of this on-going conflict. For villagers living near forests, it is a life of fear and uncertainty. Every death is a reminder that they too could be a victim.
The most recent incident was reported in Neliwewa, Karuwalagaswewa in Puttlam district. A 43-year old father of two was attacked by an elephant and crushed to death. Sunil Prematilake, a farmer from the Neliwewa, was attacked on his way to his chena cultivation at dawn. Angry villagers protested in front of the Karuwalagaswewa Pradseshiya Sabha demanding the authorities to bring about a permanent solution to this.
“The Thabbowa forest area is full of untamed elephants brought in from various areas. An elephant walks about 30 kilometres for food and now with overcrowding these rampant elephants are entering the villages causing damage to property and killing innocent villagers. For officers in Colombo, it is just another unfortunate incident,” said Sunil Bandara, another villager. According to the villagers, attempts made by Civil Defence Force to prevent elephants entering the villages have failed as the number of wild elephants has increased to an uncontrollable level.
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