Life style
Living with the world’s largest elephant population
By Dr. Tempe Adams
Coexistence & Education Manager for Elephants without Borders, Botswana
6 pm November 17, 2022,
Jasmine Hall, BMICH
Sri Lanka, sadly, has the most incidence of human-elephant conflict (HEC) among countries that host the Asian Elephant. This is a topic that has dominated conservation for the past 50 years as human populations and development have increased with a corresponding decrease in elephant habitat; especially due to unplanned development, illicit deforestation and illegal encroachments into protected areas.
Today, humans share over 40% of the island’s landscape with elephants. Such have been the efforts to find solutions to this, to change from conflict to coexistence, that Sri Lanka’s scientists and researchers are seen as the experts on the subject, in relation to Asian elephants. Their knowledge and expertise, especially on tried and tested tools to help achieve this goal, are eagerly sought in other Asian countries that, like us, seek to protect their last populations of wild elephants.
So what is it like to live with the World’s largest population of African elephants? Botswana holds this proud accolade with an estimated 125,000 elephants living there. In the Chobe Province alone, in Northern Botswana, there are an estimated 32,000 elephants, in the dry season, who live alongside a population of 30,000 people. In comparison to Sri Lanka, with Botswana being much, much larger than Sri Lanka, and the human populations directly involved being considerably smaller, there are still numerous threats to these magnificent creatures, poaching being one, and human-elephant conflict another.
WNPS is pleased host Dr Tempe Adams of ‘Elephants without Borders’ (EWB) to discuss the similarities and differences in the challenges faced in protecting the Botswana and Sri Lankan elephants. EWB is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that has been operating in Botswana since 2004, and is dedicated to the protection and conservation of Africa’s elephants. It has created a ‘Side by Side’ Elephant Coexistence Programme and offers a holistic approach combining science and community empowerment to combat conflict.
To assist with this, they have created the ‘EleSenses’ Toolkit, a low-cost, user-friendly, mobile, solar-powered/green, sustainable, mitigation system aimed to protect human lives and property. They have also been conducting long-term studies monitoring elephants and wildlife movements across the landscape of both the international movements between countries and, at a fine spatial scale, around villages and towns. Corridors are identified by wildlife’s movements between needed resources. This information is vital and is shared with a range of stakeholders to incorporate corridors into land-use management plans and provides indications of how wildlife is adapting to people and development, over time.
Dr Adams is currently the Coexistence & Education Manager for EWB. She uses its innovative research and educational studies, and information sharing with all people, to strive to encourage mankind to live in harmony with wildlife and the natural world. Her role in the organization is working with communities and helping them live and farm within wildlife areas, free from conflict. She is currently based in the Chobe District.
Dr Adams has published a number of scientific publications on combating human-elephant conflict by conserving elephants and empowering rural communities. Her research has been featured on BBC and CNN as well as in the Times, and National Geographic publications, to name a few. Her overall goal is to further develop ways for communities and wildlife to coexist in close proximity to one another, by improving ways to manage wildlife corridors and other low-impact, long-term mitigation strategies, while increasing the communities’ involvement. She works on the premise that Conflict Resolution cannot happen instantly but must be worked on and cared for over time, through rigorous science and the building up of relationships between those affected by conflict and the relevant authorities.
African and Asian Elephants though evolving from different, relatively recent ancestry, Mastodons and Woolly Mammoths respectively, both share common evolutionary roots and, unsurprisingly, have developed similar patterns of behaviour. There is much to be learnt from each other in finding solutions for our common problems. Just as with elephants, we too share a common ancestry and similar behaviours, especially in how we address conflict.As such, this is a lecture that all interested in elephant conservation should attend and learn from,
The monthly lecture of the WNPS is supported by the Nations Trust Bank. Dr Adams visit is enabled with the kind support of Dilmah Conservation and Jetwing Group.The lecture is open to both members and non-members, Entrance Free. We are happy to recommence our physical lecture at the BMICH whilst continuing both Zoom and FB live for the benefit of the members who connect from across the Island and the World
(WNPS news release)
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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