Abstract:
Human-wildlife conflict has increased over the decades and is
now considered one of the most severe challenges to the survival
of threatened species and the livelihood of communities world wide. In Sri Lanka, population growth, fragmentation of land, and
conversion of natural wildlife habitats into settlement and agricul tural areas are the leading causes of human-wildlife conflict. This
study seeks to characterise the conflict pattern in the Mullaitivu
District by identifying land use/cover changes and assessing the
vulnerability of land use/cover. Primary data were collected
through a field survey using a structured questionnaire and direct
observation methods, and secondary data on land use/cover
changes were obtained from remote sensing images. These data
were analysed statistically and on the Geographic Information
System (GIS) platform. The study reveals land use/cover vulner ability status over the twenty-six years. Dense forests are on the
decline, and wild animals migrate into human settlements and
agricultural sites, resulting in different types of human-wildlife
conflict such as crop damage, livestock depredation, and loss of
life and/or injuries to both people and wildlife in the Mullaitivu
district. People employ various wildlife mitigation strategies.
However, they cannot safeguard their crops or livestock from
these animals. By implementing appropriate management meas ures to avoid wildlife infiltration into human settlements, the
human-wildlife conflict in the Mullaitivu district can be minimised.
