Electric Fencing and Mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict
Attributes
Medium: Animals, Plants and/or Others
Country: Sri Lanka
Analytical Framework(s): Other
Study Date: 2004
Publication Date: 2005
Major Result(s)
Study Note: Since policy makers strongly believe that electric fencing is the best solution to the HEC challenge, the in-depth evaluation of this approach is of particular relevance, particularly in terms of the efficient allocation of scarce conservation resources. Some misgivings remain about this technology and these need to be addressed. For example, it is clear that electric fences have relatively high initial establishment costs and that they also create a divide between rural communities and nearby forests. This study was initiated to answer a number of these unresolved questions about the implementation of electric fences. In particular, it set out to see if electric fences can provide a stand-alone solution to the HEC problem. The general objective of the study was to investigate how effective electric fences are at mitigating the human-elephant conflict. This effectiveness was measured in terms of how the fences reduce elephantrelated incidents that affect the lives and livelihoods of the rural farmers. In other words, its aim was to answer the question: "Are electric fences capable of assuring the survival of the elephants while improving the social welfare of the people who live in the vicinity of elephant ranges?"
Study Details
Summary: Among the catalogue of environmental problems that face Sri Lanka, the conflict between humans and elephants is of growing concern. Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) causes damage to human lives, property and cultivated crops and is currently the main threat to the survival of elephants in the country. This problem looks set to get worse, since 70% of the country's wild elephant population lives outside designated park areas and the increasing rural human population demands ever-more land resources. Therefore, the identification of appropriate policy options to deal with the HEC challenge is of paramount importance. A successful solution will go a long way to conserving the country's endangered elephants without causing further deterioration to the social welfare of Sri Lankan rural farmers. Among the mitigation strategies that have been adopted, the establishment of a physical barrier in the form of electric fencing is considered to be the most effective measure. A substantial number of electric fences have been established in Sri Lanka and more are to be installed, an initiative that will involve substantial costs. Against this background, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of established electric fences in Sri Lanka. Five electric fences installed in conflict areas were evaluated by comparing the situation in areas 'protected' by fences to areas without this protection. The homogeneity of these treatment and control areas was first established. The effectiveness of the fences was estimated using a number of indicators. This field research was supplemented by the information received from key informants and secondary sources. The study concluded that, although electric fencing does help mitigate HEC, it is not capable of completely eliminating the problem. Moreover, it was found that electric fencing cannot stand as a mitigation measure on its own. A number of technical as well as socio-economic factors were highlighted that determined the level of success of each fence. Among these, correct design, the consideration of geographical variation and elephant migratory patterns, the completeness of the fencing and community support for fence maintenance appeared to be crucial for success. Ad hoc decision making, in relation to either the establishment of fences or settlements, contributed significantly to fence failure. This implies the need of an integrated approach to solve HEC problem with comprehensive land use planning and habitat enrichment where electric fencing is an important component.
Site Characteristics: In order to reduce the number and impact of human-elephant conflicts (HEC) in Sri Lanka, a number of electric fences have been implemented in different parts of the country. The selection of fences for this study was based on the severity of the HEC associated with each fence, the characteristics of their geographical areas and the institutions involved in their implementation. The following electric fences were chosen: Kandeketiya electric fence near Victoria-Randenigala-Rantambe Sanctuary; Herathgama electric fences near Kahalla-Pallekele Sanctuary; Electric fence around Mahaweli System G6; Kalagama electric fence at Balaluwewa-Kalawewa sanctuary; and Lunugamwehera electric fence at Lunugamwehera National Park.
Comments: In this study, the treatment-control experiment procedure, which compares two groups, (i.e. with and without policy alternatives) was adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of electric fencing at the field level. A number of fences were chosen for study from a list of all the electric fence projects that had been established in Sri Lanka. For each of the areas selected for the study, information was collected from replicated field plots - some in areas protected by a fence (treatment) and some in areas not protected by a fence (control) - for a period of one year. The land areas sampled within each study area was kept the same. A number of socioeconomic and production variables were used to establish the similarity of treatment and control areas.