Page 71 - RASAS 2025

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10 Ruhuna Arts Student’s Annual Sessions (RASAS) -2025

The Relationship between Land Use Changes and Human-Elephant Conflict: A
Spatial Analysis of the Maduru Oya Area, Sri Lanka

H.A.P. Priyamantha
Department of Geography, University of Ruhuna
Pathumpriyamantha21@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is a pressing issue in Sri Lanka, driven by habitat loss, land cover change, and
fragmentation, particularly in regions like Maduru Oya where elephants and human settlements intersect. This

study examines the spatial relationship between land cover changes, habitat fragmentation, and HEC frequency
in Maduru Oya, aiming to identify key drivers and propose sustainable solutions. The primary objectives were
to analyze land cover changes over 15 years, assess their impact on HEC, and provide recommendations for

land-use planning. The study area, Maduru Oya, is a biodiverse region in eastern Sri Lanka, encompassing
protected forests and agricultural communities, where habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and

infrastructure development has intensified human-elephant interactions. Using a qualitative and spatial
analysis, the research combined satellite imagery (2004–2019), GIS tools, and field observations to map land
cover changes and conflict hotspots. Results revealed significant deforestation and habitat fragmentation,

forcing elephants into human-dominated areas, leading to increased crop raids, property damage, and fatalities.
Key findings highlighted conflict hotspots near agricultural zones, with elephants losing 30–40% of their

habitat over the study period. The study also noted ecological disruptions, such as reduced seed dispersal and
biodiversity loss. Recommendations emphasize the targeted ecological restoration of critical corridors and the
creation of natural barriers like elephant-resistant flora, the implementation of buffer zones, and the promotion

of community-led technology-enhanced protection for existing farms, conservation strategies, and strategic
water resource management in dry seasons, including early warning systems and alternative livelihoods. These
measures aim to mitigate conflict while balancing ecological and socioeconomic needs, fostering coexistence

between humans and elephants in Maduru Oya.

Keywords: Fragmentation, Human Elephant Conflict, Land cover change, Maduru Oya,

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