Chikkamagaluru: Former MLA of Sakleshpura, H M Vishwanath, has advocated for Sri Lanka’s Colombo-model elephant sanctuary to prevent human-elephant conflict in the Malnad region.Vishwanath spoke during a seminar on human-wildlife conflict at Coffee Research Centre’s centenary celebrations. In Colombo, a sanctuary to house 200 wild elephants has been opened, and the site is being developed as a tourist spot to generate revenue for the govt.He suggested a similar model could be emulated on 400 acres along the riverbank to rehabilitate wild elephants.According to Vishwanath, about 7,000 elephants are in the forests of the state, with only 300 causing disturbances in the villages. In Kodagu, around 150 elephants have moved from forests to the human habitat. Vishwanath urged the govt to relocate them to establish a separate elephant sanctuary.Paul Mathew, head of Kerala’s wildlife task force, said the forest cover in the Malnad districts has not diminished — instead, wildlife population is increasing. He suggested implementing Kerala’s elephant-free project in the state’s Malnad districts.Despite strong wildlife protection laws, managing wildlife disturbances remains a challenge. Although measures like self-operating warning systems, solar fences, railway barriers, and strong walls are in place, wildlife still enters coffee plantations. Tamil Nadu is starting a centre using AI to check wildlife disturbances, and its effectiveness will soon be known.Wildlife researcher Surendra Varma said elephants and other wildlife causing disturbances are primarily due to inadequate waste disposal in human habitats. About 320 plant species in the forest serve as food for animals. When such diverse food is unavailable in the plains, waste becomes a substitute. Improper waste disposal in villages and cities, including chicken waste, provides easy food for wildlife from the forest. Once animals consume this food, they are reluctant to return to the forest. Elephants too are seen feeding on waste, Varma noted.The focus should be on human-caused problems for wildlife rather than human-wildlife conflict. The issue exists in 23 states, and understanding wildlife behaviour is crucial for finding solutions. However, such efforts have not been made by the govt, Varma rued.Coffee grower Mohan Das from Madikeri, Channasiddeshwara Shivacharya of Tenkalagoodu Matt in Sakleshpur, Ratheesh Kumar, and others were present.
