Sri Lanka’s escalating human-elephant conflict has reached alarming levels, with over 3,000 elephants and 1,190 people killed since 2015, according to Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi. 🚨 New data reveals a stark clash for survival as shrinking habitats force wildlife into human settlements.
Between 2015–2019, 1,466 elephants died, while fatalities surged to 2,011 from 2020–2024. Human deaths also rose sharply, from 456 to 734 in the same periods. 🌿
Minister Patabendi called the trend “a critical threat to biodiversity and communities” in parliament, urging sustainable solutions. Experts blame habitat loss due to farming expansion and climate pressures, with elephants increasingly raiding crops for food.
As Sri Lanka tackles this crisis, conservationists stress balanced land-use policies and tech-driven tracking systems. For young eco-warriors, this tragedy underscores the urgency of protecting nature while supporting vulnerable communities. 🌏💔
