Human-elephant conflict:

Palmyra hedge to replace electrified fence

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

A proposal had been presented to introduce a palmyra hedge as a substitute for the electrified fence to solve the human and elephant conflict. A number of districts in the dry zone are faced with wild elephant attacks.

The Datival Action Institute has certified that the palmyra hedge is a suitable method for Sri Lanka after about an year's research.

According to the research, the institute had selected the Moneragala district to implement the proposal.

Palmyra trees

Moneragala District Secretary U K S Mihindukulasuriya had taken measures to build the palmyra fence in several areas with the assistance of the Moneragala residents.

An awareness programme on the palmyra fence was held at the Moneragala District Secretariat office where Davital Action Institute's research team leader Ranasinghe Perera explained the system.

"Using a palmyra fence as a substitute for the electrified fence is a profitable and eco-friendly method," he said. Currently, an electrified fence has been established in areas most affected by elephant attacks in 1,400 kilo metres. The government has spent around Rs 500,000 per kilometre to establish the fence while Rs 25,000 is spent annually for the repair work. The maximum period of the fence is only five years.

However, the proposed palmyra fence is more cheaper where only Rs 72,000 will be spent for one kilometre and there is no need to spend money for maintenance for the first three years. The palmyra fence has a 100-year life time.

The palmyra fence is more secure and less hazardous for animals. Palmyra is the main food of elephants. There will be 270 metric tons of palmyra cultivation per kilometre and this will be a great solution for the food shortage of elephants.

According to the Datival Action Institute, there is a special method when establishing the palmyra fence. The gap between two trees must be five feet and the gap between two lines must be eight feet. Four lines should be made in a zigzag system. Eight years will be spent to grow these plants and planting of trees will begin near the electrified fence.

Three monitoring projects on building the palmyra fence will be implemented in three districts under the guidance of the Davital action Institute. Accordingly, this fence will be built in Moneragala, Batticaloa and Ampara districts.