Pioneering Solar-Powered Light Repel Systems: A Sustainable Solution To Human-Elephant Conflict In Sri Lanka
Shakila Ifham
August 11, 2024
Picture Dhanushka Ekanayake
Spa Ceylon, the world’s largest luxury Ayurveda wellness brand, has partnered with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) to address the escalating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka. Their awareness campaign, titled “Help Save the Majestic Ceylon Elephant,” is bringing new hope to the residents of Anuradhapura, a region severely affected by HEC.
A key feature of this campaign is the introduction of a cost-effective energy transition mechanism designed to deter elephants from entering residential areas and farms. The innovative light repel system (LRS) that tricks elephants into perceiving an impassable barrier, effectively redirecting them back into the forest. This system, installed at elephant eye level for maximum effectiveness mainly using its biological factor of poor eyesight. This LRS system has been in place for three years and has proven to be 82% effective in reducing HEC incidents.
“This ingenious solution has been installed in 17 locations across the Anuradhapura district, known for its frequent and deadly encounters between humans and elephants. The lights, which blink at specific intervals when elephants approach, create the illusion of a blank wall, deterring the animals from advancing further. Each system consists of five LED bulbs strategically placed at five-meter intervals and is powered by solar energy, operating from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.” added, Jehan CanagaRetna, the Immediate Past President of WNPS.
Sri Lanka, as per an official census of 2011, had 5,879 elephants and, currently, approximately 22 million people. In 2023 alone, 476 elephants and 169 people lost their lives to HEC.
The last fatality in the area involved an elderly woman who tragically collided with an elephant due to the lack of visibility. The solar streetlights now provide much-needed illumination, reducing the risk of such accidents.
Dr. Tempe Adams, an Australian Conservation Ecologist who has successfully implemented a similar light repel system in Botswana, will be visiting Sri Lanka to observe the ongoing project. The research in Sri Lanka is currently in progress, with the aim of refining the technology to better adapt to the local environment and further reduce incidents of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). A scientific report on the effectiveness of the light repel system will be submitted to the government within this year.
With 19 out of the 25 districts in Sri Lanka affected by HEC, this initiative could be a game-changer, offering a sustainable and humane solution to a complex problem. By leveraging energy transition technologies like solar power, Spa Ceylon and WNPS are not only protecting the majestic Ceylon elephant but also improving the safety and livelihoods of rural communities.
FAQs