The number of elephants killed annually has been growing within an elephant population that has been diminishing since colonial times. Nearly all these regrettable deaths could be attributed to the increasing human-elephant conflict that has been raging for some time as humans steadily encroach upon the elephant’s long-established natural habitat. What is the core of this problem and is there a practical way out that could be maintained over the long-term?
Dhaneshi Yatawara reports: "Today humans have lost the fascinating symbiosis they had with elephants over generations. Human ancestors fearlessly crossed the thick jungles, the home of the Sri Lankan elephant. Yet today, there are media reports on human deaths due to the human elephant conflict. Does this mean elephants have become a threat to human existence?
According to the statistics of the Department of Wildlife, in 2008 elephants killed 30 people and 50 in 2009. In 2010 up to September 30, the number of people killed by elephants was 60. It is reported that 57% of annual elephant deaths are caused by the human-elephant conflict; 110 of the 189 elephants death recorded in 2007 falling into this category. Fifty-four elephant deaths have been recorded this year until May and the highest incidence of death has been indicated in the North -Western (Vyamba) Province.
The elephant is the emblem par excellence of the evergreen environment and a deep-rooted cultural symbol. To a Sri Lankan, a Perahera [ceremonial religious procession] is never complete without being led by a large number of caparisoned elephants. Yet, today the human-elephant conflict has aggravated. The reason is mainly due to the loss of elephant habitat caused by the alienation of land for the ever-growing needs of humans. Encroaching on the limited elephant habitat by humans is making this majestic beast homeless.
Other reasons are the insatiable greed of some for the valuable ivory tusks and the search for gaja-muthu or ‘elephant pearls’ said to be found within the hollow of some tusks. And so, the unconscionable slaughter goes on. Endemic poverty and innate greed coupled with widespread bribery and corruption combine to decimate these magnificent beasts. Our common and overarching Sri Lankan culture generally finds wanton killing repugnant in the extreme.
However, the consciences of people have been now awakened and public opinion is at last turning against the needless killing of these animals. It is therefore timely to learn some facts about this tragic business and to also marshal support to contain a wholly unnecessary conflict. There is, perhaps, a way out as you read on.
Repelling without killing
One specific plant species that could be grown in the vicinity of human settlements threatened by elephants is the well-known Gaja-madara (known as Oduvan/Odaichi/Nilaippalai in Tamil). It is called ‘Gaja-madara’ because elephants are believed to be afraid, even terrified, of the shrub-like tree, and even its leaves are not damaged by insects and both birds and snakes avoid this shrub. Its seeds, leaves and bark are very poisonous. It is an endemic plant in India and Sri Lanka.
The shrub is listed by the USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Bibliography for "Cleistanthus collinus" by Title As of 21 Nov 2010 3:17AM. Bulletin du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. (2); Pharmacographia indica : (2); Pharmacographia Indica. (1); The Philippine Journal of Science. (2);
Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth.
Madara/ Mal Madara
Odaichi / Nilaippalai
Indrayava
It acts as a 100 per cent repellant and deters the animals from even approaching settlements. It is called Cleistanthus in Latin and is a plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae. The genus comprises 140 varieties, found from Africa to the Pacific Islands. Cleistanthus collinus is known for being toxic to humans if ingested in any form. It is alleged that it was frequently used in the old days for homicidal and suicidal purposes. Scientific investigations have shown that ingestion of its leaves or a decoction of its leaves causes hypokalemia (kaliuresis and cardiac arrhythmias.)
K.G. Nissanka states: "The small town of Panamure rekindles memories in some who still remember the saga of the Panamure Ali-Raj?, the magnificent bull-elephant who became a legend due to its stubborn resistance to being tamed after being captured along with his herd. The controversy that erupted after the killing of this king of beasts in 1950 led to a public uproar and the eventual banning of elephant kraals in 1952.’
The word ‘Kraal’ is owes its etymology to the Sinhala word ‘G?la’ which was mispronounced by the Portuguese and Dutch. They introduced the word to the world as ‘kraal.’ Elephant Kraals were held in the Island in 1820, 1846, 1847, 1857, 1859, 1860, 1863, 1866, 1871, 1881, 1883, 1887, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1902, 1907, 1912, 1914, 1918, 1922, 1924, 1929, 1944, and the last in 1950. In all twenty-five (25) kraals were held. (Elapatha 1997 and Dissanayake 2004).
This last kraal [1950] was organized and directed by Sir Francis Molamure, Sam Elapatha Dissawe and Barnes Ratwatte Dissawe of Balangoda. Sri Francis was a nephew of the famous Maduvanväla Dissawe of Kolonne Korale.
What is significant and of interest to us is that at this kraal that Sir Francis stepped into the stockade to face the charging bull-elephant. As he retreated slowly, the heel of his boot went into a ditch and he lost his balance and fell over backward. According to the late Sepala Illangakoon, as he did so, Sam Elapatha Dissave who was just behind him, threw his ‘magic stick,’ a 45 centimetre long baton at the bull that skidded to a frenzied halt before the stick lying before it. That ‘magic stick’ was a branch from a Gaja-Madara shrub. The Panamure Ali-Raja, who rose to legendary fame for resolutely defending his herd until he was put to death with a shot fired by a young planter, Sam Kadirgama. It was not a true tusker [Ätha] as folklore has it but a massive young bull-elephant who was the leader of the herd. The tragic episode brought much disrepute to the descendants of the Maduvanväla Clan and was commemorated in a sad song which goes like this:
"Panamure... //
"Panamure Ath Raaja... //
"Abheetha Nada Pa Hasthi Raja Ea... //
"Kale Satan Pa Thejaa...
"Panamure Ath Raaja…."
The capture of wild elephants in kraals was a common practice of the elites of that day. The Panamure kraal became folklore with many poems and this song articulating what were one of the cruelest deeds committed at the time when cruelty was not at the levels seen today. The tusker which led the herd was killed when all attempts to tame it failed bringing to an end a sad episode which put the small town of Panamure permanently on the map of the last elephant kraal held there."
Locally, a very old Gaja-madara tree stands in the premises of the Buddhist temple at Väli-oya, Kaltota (or Galthota) and is said to be from the Coromandel Coast of South India. One sapling was transferred to a famous Buddhist temple at Balangoda with a Buddha statue on top of a hill which is visible to the entire area. Another tree is said to be found near the Dafter-Jailani rock cave shrine of a Muslim saint at Kurugala, 24 kilometres off Balangoda. Even though reptiles, leopards and wild buffalo are plentiful in the area they give a wide berth to the shrine because of the Gaja-madara tree in the vicinity. Other locations are: Gaja Madara Walauwa, No:75, Kurunegala Rpad., Polgahawela; and at Kahawatte.
Chilli another repellant
Another repellant for elephants is the humble chilli (miris/kochchi-kai)) plant! The pungent odour of both the green as well as the ripe chillies deters elephants from approaching village settlements. Dr. A.C. Visvalingam of the OPA has stated:
"The experience gained in Assam, Cambodia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Thailand and Zimbabwe, troubled by devastation of crops by elephants, is noteworthy and technically simple to apply. Based on the abhorrence felt by elephants to the odour of capsaicin, which is the key chemical found in chillies, the following methods of employing chillies to discourage elephant visitations have been adopted in the countries mentioned, with more than encouraging results— a) Strands of rope or strips of jute soaked in a mixture of used engine oil and chilli powder are substituted for barbed wire and electric conductors in the stringing of fences along the boundaries between farm plots and the jungle. The mixture will have to be reapplied from time to time, the intervals depending on the weather and the state of growth of the crops in question. b) Chillies are mixed with elephant or cow dung to form flat cakes, which are dried in the sun and burned, releasing the pungent smell of capsicum. Alternatively, small straw baskets may be filled with chillies and set on fire. c) A border, consisting of four or five rows of chilli
plants, is grown around the farmer’s house and also along his property boundaries, discouraging the entry of elephants and providing a profitable cash crop at the same time. d) During the harvesting season, it would be prudent to hang bells on the fence strands to provide warning of the proximity of elephants so that the farmers may supplement the deterrent effect of the capsaicin by lighting crackers.
"Several farmers in contiguous allotments should get together to help reduce the amount of fencing and chilli borders required, by planting these on the outermost boundaries of the combined plots. Agricultural Extension Officers should help the farmers to come to an agreed pattern of implementation. It has been reported that some farmers have doubled their income by harvesting the chillies and marketing them or turning them into sauces and other end products."
Last but not least, the Durian
A third repellant is the [malodorous] durian which grows well in the Low-country Wet Zone. It is said that elephants fear the sharp spikes on the fruit.oth of these cheap solutions to contain the human-elephant conflict are much less expensive by far than the much-touted electric fences. Seed and/or planting material for Gaja-madara could be obtained from India or East Africa without too much expense or trouble.
Certainly, designing opportunists and sophisticated confidence tricksters are constantly attempting to take government for a ride by advising uninformed ministers, MPs and officials that electric fences are the only viable solution. Others advocate capture and relocation far away. Neither of these solutions really works as evidence has repeatedly shown.
Why not look at the Cleistanthus (Gaja-Madara) shrub, the chili plant and the durian as viable and inexpensive natural options in containing the human-elephant conflict? It is so much more merciful to repel by natural means than to slaughter such magnificent beasts—a time-honoured part of our unique national heritage.
Courtesy - The Island - By J.B. Müller
