HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT CLAIMS 200 HUMAN AND 300 ELEPHANT LIVES

The Elephant - human conflict has reached crisis proportions as evident in the 203 human deaths and over 300 deaths of elephants, occurring in the North Central Province, Governor Tissa Vitharana said at a discussion held in the Anuradhapura District Secretary’s office with the chairperson’s of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts Farmer Organisations on Friday (07).

It appeared that the Wild Elephant problem was escalating while the proliferation of monkeys and other, pests was also on a upward trend. The intrusion of these pests have also significantly contributed to the devastation of cultivated crops leaving 20 percent of the arable lands barren.

At the meeting farmers made requests for fertilizer to enable cultivation of additional crops and the agrarian officers in response said that their request will be taken into consideration. Farmers also stressed the need for additional storage facilities to enable an increase in paddy purchased from the farmers. After contacting the Chairman of the paddy Marketing Board the governor said storage facilities will be enhanced to facilitate increased purchases of paddy.

The secretary to the Governor S.N. Wickremasinghe and several government officials also attended the meeting.

Farmers also stressed the need for additional storage facilities to enable an increase in paddy purchased from the farmers