IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i15p8625-d607134.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Human–Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka: A Critical Review of Causal Explanations

Author

Listed:
  • Sören Köpke

    (Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Sisira S. Withanachchi

    (Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Ruwan Pathiranage

    (Eco-Collective Research Association, Colombo 00200, Sri Lanka)

  • Chandana R. Withanachchi

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Deepika U. Gamage

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Thushantha S. Nissanka

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Chinthana C. Warapitiya

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Banu M. Nissanka

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Nirangani N. Ranasinghe

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Chathurika D. Senarathna

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka)

  • Christian Schleyer

    (Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Andreas Thiel

    (Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

Human–elephant conflict (HEC) is a severe and much-debated issue in Sri Lanka. An average of two hundred animals are intentionally killed, and seventy to eighty human casualties are counted each year. The Sri Lankan elephant ( Elephas maximus maximus ) is an endangered subspecies. The reported elephant mortality rates are high. On the other hand, human–elephant conflict also leads to hardship and trauma among rural populations. This research paper reviews causal explanations for HEC in Sri Lanka, tracing underlying narratives and connecting broader conservation theory and practical approaches. The paper discusses potential causes and contexts of HEC in Sri Lanka, including historical factors (i.e., colonial hunting and land-use changes), poaching, habitat loss due to population growth, crop-raiding behaviour, problem animals, and changes in agricultural production systems. The review concludes that socio-economic and cultural factors in HEC in Sri Lanka are poorly explained, and more research should focus on the underlying conditions of rural populations’ vulnerability.

Suggested Citation

  • Sören Köpke & Sisira S. Withanachchi & Ruwan Pathiranage & Chandana R. Withanachchi & Deepika U. Gamage & Thushantha S. Nissanka & Chinthana C. Warapitiya & Banu M. Nissanka & Nirangani N. Ranasinghe , 2021. "Human–Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka: A Critical Review of Causal Explanations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8625-:d:607134
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8625/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8625/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Antoinette van de Water & Kevin Matteson, 2018. "Human-elephant conflict in western Thailand: Socio-economic drivers and potential mitigation strategies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, June.
    2. J. M. P. N. Anuradha & Miho Fujimura & Tsukasa Inaoka & Norio Sakai, 2019. "The Role of Agricultural Land Use Pattern Dynamics on Elephant Habitat Depletion and Human-Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Bandara, Ranjith & Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Asian Elephants as Agricultural Pests: Damages, Economics of Control and Compensation in Sri Lanka," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 48735, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    4. David Locke Newhouse & Pablo Suarez Becerra & Dung Doan, 2016. "Sri Lanka Poverty and Welfare," World Bank Publications - Reports 23794, The World Bank Group.
    5. Jack M. Broughton & Elic M. Weitzel, 2018. "Population reconstructions for humans and megafauna suggest mixed causes for North American Pleistocene extinctions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mrinmay Mandal & Nilanjana Das Chatterjee, 2021. "Geospatial approach-based delineation of elephant habitat suitability zones and its consequence in Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(12), pages 17788-17809, December.
    2. Bandara, Ranjith & Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Willingness to Pay for Conservation of the Asian Elephant in Sri Lanka: A Contingent Valuation Study," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 48738, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    3. Mathew Stewart & W. Christopher Carleton & Huw S. Groucutt, 2022. "Reply to: Accurate population proxies do not exist between 11.7 and 15 ka in North America," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-4, December.
    4. Vincent R. Nyirenda & Bimo A. Nkhata & Oscar Tembo & Susan Siamundele, 2018. "Elephant Crop Damage: Subsistence Farmers’ Social Vulnerability, Livelihood Sustainability and Elephant Conservation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Bandara, Ranjith & Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Rural and Urban Attitudes to the Conservation of Asian Elephants in Sri Lanka: Empirical Evidence," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 48736, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    6. Bhuwan Dhakal & Brijesh Thapa, 2019. "Residents’ perceptions of human–elephant conflict: case study in Bahundangi, Nepal," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 461-481, February.
    7. Kulasinghe, Tharindu Nuwan & Dharmakeerthi, Randombage Saman, 2022. "Effects of land use type and tank components on soil properties and sustainability of tank cascade system in the Dry Zone of north central Sri Lanka," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    8. Barr, Abigail & Owens, Trudy & Perera, Ashira, 2020. "Collective management of an environmental threat when exposure is heterogeneous – A complementary methods approach," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    9. Sujith S. Ratnayake & Lalit Kumar & Punchi B. Dharmasena & Harsha K. Kadupitiya & Champika S. Kariyawasam & Danny Hunter, 2021. "Sustainability of Village Tank Cascade Systems of Sri Lanka: Exploring Cascade Anatomy and Socio-Ecological Nexus for Ecological Restoration Planning," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, September.
    10. Bandara, Ranjith & Tisdell, Clem, 2004. "The net benefit of saving the Asian elephant: a policy and contingent valuation study," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 93-107, January.
    11. Mamboleo, Abel Ansporthy & Doscher, Crile & Paterson, Adrian, 2021. "A computational modelling approach to human-elephant interactions in the Bunda District, Tanzania," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 443(C).
    12. Prof Clem Tisdell & R. Bandara, 2003. "Does The Economic Value Of The Asian Elephant To Urban Dwellers Exceed Their Cost To The Farmers? A Sri Lankan Study," Discussion Papers Series 325, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    13. Prathi Seneviratne, 2017. "Female Labour Force Participation and Economic Development in Labour Abundant Countries: Evidence from Sri Lanka," Working Papers 2017-02, Carleton College, Department of Economics.
    14. Clement A. Tisdell, 2004. "Economic Incentives to Conserve Wildlife on Private Lands: Analysis and Policy," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 153-163, September.
    15. Prathi Seneviratne, 2017. "Explaining Changes in Sri Lanka’s Wage Distribution, 1992-2014: A Quantile Regression Analysis," Working Papers 2017-01, Carleton College, Department of Economics.
    16. Tisdell, Clement A., 2003. "Notes on Market Failure and the Paretian (Kaldor-Hicks) Relevance and Irrelevance of Unfavourable Externalities," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 48970, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    17. Sutton, William R. & Larson, Douglas M. & Jarvis, Lovell S., 2004. "A New Approach For Assessing The Costs Of Living With Wildlife In Developing Countries," Working Papers 11951, University of California, Davis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
    18. Jill Korach & Allen R. McConnell, 2021. "The Triadic Framework: Integrating Nature, Communities, and Belief Systems into the Self-Concept for Sustained Conservation Action," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-14, July.
    19. Seneviratne, Prathi, 2020. "Gender wage inequality during Sri Lanka’s post-reform growth: A distributional analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    20. Bandara, Ranjith & Tisdell, Clement A., 2005. "The History and Value of the Elephant in Sri Lankan Society," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 55092, University of Queensland, School of Economics.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8625-:d:607134. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.