From Conflict to Coexistence: A Critical Look at Issues Related to Human-Wildlife Interactions in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is appreciated for its natural beauty and its biodiversity as being one of the hot spots in the world. Its picturesque environments are a great asset to its people and the abundance of wildlife resources it has is second to non-other. However, due to the increase in the struggle between the wildlife and human beings, this escalating conflict has resulted in violent interactions between the two, where both the parties have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. In particular, the Human-Elephant and Human-Crocodile conflict has created much controversy from socio, economic and political aspects in the country. Therefore, this research is focused on suggesting methods of turning this conflict between human beings and the wildlife in to one of coexistence with a critical review of literature and the study reports that have been produced both locally and internationally by using a qualitative method. The results reveal that, the conflict is more diverse than one might think as the conflict has now become human-wildlife-human conflict, where there is a conflict between who are trying to save the wildlife from the humans and the others who are trying to save their lives and crops from the wildlife. This triparty conflict has made matters very complicated and therefore, it is suggested that the existing laws and regulations be amended and be made more realistic in order to protect both the wildlife and the human beings of the country, where the existing rules and regulations of the British Era has taken a more biocentre approach which seems unworkable in the modern times.