Conservation vs. Development: SLWCS setting the standard
If you think I sounded preachy and didactic in my last column, you’re right. And it was intentional. If you’re enquiring as to why, I suggest you re-read that column. On that note, I will continue with the theme of conservation vs. development.
Earlier this year, during my return to Sri Lanka, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS). I wanted to show a good example of the proper approach to conservation and their Saving Elephants while Helping People (SEHP) project stood out for this reason.
An expanding rural population has led to the encroachment of elephant habitat; this close proximity to wild elephants is constantly causing what is called Human Elephant Conflict (HEC – they have acronyms for everything.). The loss of habitat means less natural food, so elephants began raiding farmland. Not an unexpected reaction from a smart animal that had its land invaded by outsiders. I mean, what would you do? (WWYD – that’s one of my own.)
Nevertheless, the already-dwindling elephant population has become the target of retaliating farmers, placing them at even greater risk. The SLWCS was established in 1997 and they started the SEHP project to tackle this problem. Since their launch, they have truly lived up to their philosophy:
“The only realistic path to sustainable conservation is to ensure a reasonable standard of living for all people – especially for the rural population of developing countries with some of the World’s richest biodiversity.”
I met with the Operations Director of the SLWCS, Chandeep Corea, who introduced me to some of the staff at their headquarters, a modest home turned office, in Dehiwala. We discussed some of the projects they were involved with and they invited me to join them for a visit to Wasgamuwa National Park. They were returning to the local village to continue with Project Orange Elephant (POE). This pilot study, launched in 2006, uses citrus varieties, especially oranges, to provide farmers with alternatives crops that do not attract elephants. SLWCS research showed that elephants did not prefer the fruits or leaves of citrus leaves. An additional benefit, no doubt, is the high market demand for oranges.
I arrived at their HQ at 04:00. It was pitch black. The eerie silence gave me a hush-hush, this is a top-secret mission feeling. Then I tripped the alarm – an angry dog, who’s bark woke up the whole neighbourhood. The excitement of going to Wasgamuwa combined with the relentless bloodsucking mosquitoes prevented sleep until we boarded our van. Ahhh, there’s nothing like the rhythmic vibration and monotonous drone of a vehicle to act as a sedative.
It was a long drive and I slept most of the way, except when we stopped to eat. At 13:00 hrs I was rudely awoken by the jarring of the van working its way up a gravel road that was clearly intended for something with more ground clearance. Like a four-wheel drive or an elephant.
We arrived at the campsite, at the top of a hill and I soon forgot that I almost decorated the back seat with my breakfast. The lodging was simple and the view breathtaking. I can see why anyone staying here wouldn’t want to return to modern life.
When POE was launched three years ago, the SLWCS team provided nearly 60 houses with citrus plants. The villagers were given instruction on how to care for them and the purpose of our visit was to see where the plants were growing successfully and where they were failing.
We trudged through paddy fields, patches of jungle, and narrow winding roads. In two days, we crossed all the homes off the list. The citrus plants needed proper care. Those who that neglected them completely or only made a half-hearted attempt lost their crops. Those who treated their crops with respect boasted, showing trees laden with fruit.
The SLWCS team spent a final day working with all the newly collected data in preparation for a presentation. We parted ways along a dusty street in Dambulla. They continued to Trincomalee for a Turtle Conservation assignment. I returned to Colombo, with fond memories of discovering elephant tracks and meeting local people.
The results showed POE was a success. HEC incidents were down and the rural community was profiting from the orange crops. Nearly everyone was willing to plant more citrus plants and take better care of them.
SLWCS staff work tirelessly to conserve, to educate and to hold true to their mission statement. They also made me feel extremely welcome. I couldn’t have asked for a more hospitable group of people. To Chandeep, Chinthaka, Upul, Sarath, Amarasena and everyone else, thank you.
Photos and Text by Geeshan Bandara
Check out last month’s edition to read more of Column G.
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