Mr. Vithanage believes 60,000-80,000 hectares of forest have been razed for chena cultivation in the Monaragala District alone since the 1980s. “The majority of the deaths are caused by human activities: shooting, electrocuting and ‘hakkapatas’ or explosive baits that blow up inside elephants’ mouths,” Mr. Vidanapathirana said. Most of the elephant deaths were reported from the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts and the Eastern Province. “The main reason for the conflict is the limited amount of land for agriculture and consequent encroachment into elephant habitat,” Mr. Vidanapathirana noted. “We have had some setbacks due to the pandemic but will complete it before next year,” Mr. Vidanapathirana said confidently.

Source: Sunday Times May 02, 2021 00:54 UTC