Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Efforts Intensify-by Kalani-eLanka Human-elephant conflict (HEC) remains one of the most pressing conservation and socio-economic challenges in countries where wild elephants roam freely. The increasing competition for land and resources has escalated encounters between humans and elephants, often resulting in loss of lives, destruction of crops, and retaliatory killings of elephants. To address this growing crisis, governments, conservationists, and local communities have intensified their efforts to find sustainable solutions. Causes of Human-Elephant Conflict The primary cause of HEC is habitat loss due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. As natural forests shrink, elephants are forced to venture into human settlements in search of food and water. Additionally, climate change has exacerbated the situation, leading to prolonged droughts that drive elephants toward cultivated lands. Mitigation Strategies Various mitigation measures have been implemented to reduce HEC and promote coexistence between humans and elephants. Some of the key strategies ...