HUMAN ANIMAL CONFLICT (HEC) AND ASSOCIATED PRBLEMS: A CASE STUDY IN THIRUKKOVIL DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT DIVISION, AMPARA DISTRICT

Department of Wildlife Conservation reported in 2011 that an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population of 1573 identified in the Eastern province and which has the second highest population in the country, also createda major Human Elephant conflict (HEC). This study aimed to analyze the HEC and associated problems in the Thirukkovil Divisional Secretariat in the Ampara District. The purposive sampling method was used to collect the primary data through interviews and observations. 40 people including 20 men and 20 women were selected for the study, and affected area data was gathered via observation. Secondary data was obtained from the older literatureand Primary and Secondary data were analyzed through SPSS. The Study area has the second-highest Elephant population on the island caused to the high HEC incidents. 9 Grama Niladhari division including Kanchikudiyaru, Sangamam, Thangavelayuthapuram, Thandiyadi, Kanchirankuda, Sangamankiramam, Thirukkovil-04, Thirukkovil-03, and Vinayakapuram are highly affected by the HEC while remaining 13 has the moderate problems. 65% of the elephant attackshappened during the December to February Maha season. 2013 to 2020 shows that a totally of 10 human people died and 22 people were injured due to the HEC. Moreover, estimated crop damages within the last seven years in Paddy cultivation, Highland Crops and Chena cultivation, Coconut, Banana, and Vegetables were Rs, 2234550, Rs, 180,500 and Rs.108,000, Rs.145000, Rs.150,000, Rs.125,000 respectively. High property damages occurred during the 2013 period with a cost of Rs.310,000. Human settlement distance from forest is a main cause for HEC and food insecurity, and lack of access to river water and fuelwood are the impacts created by the HEC.Therefore, this study suggests technologies including Bio-fencing, electric-fencing, trip alarms, chili-fences, and watchtowers to minimize the risk associated with HEC. Moreover, conducting awareness Programmes is important to protect the Eco-system and Asian Elephants.