Journal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group GAJAH
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NUMBER 39 2013 GAJAHJournal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group GAJAH Journal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group Number 39 (2013) The journal is intended as a medium of communication on issues that concern the management and conservation of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) both in the wild and in captivity. It is a means by which members of the AsESG and others can communicate their experiences, ideas and perceptions freely, so that the conservation of Asian elephants can benefit. All articles published in Gajah reflect the individual views of the authors and not necessarily that of the editorial board or the AsESG. The copyright of each article remains with the author(s). Editor Jayantha Jayewardene Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust 615/32 Rajagiriya Gardens Nawala Road, Rajagiriya Sri Lanka [email protected] Editorial Board Dr. Richard Barnes Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando Centre for Community Health Centre for Conservation and Research Division of Academic General Pediatrics 35 Gunasekara Gardens 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0927 Nawala Road La Jolla, CA 92093-0927 Rajagiriya USA Sri Lanka e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Jennifer Pastorini Heidi Riddle Centre for Conservation and Research Riddles Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary 35 Gunasekara Gardens P.O.Box 715 Nawala Road, Rajagiriya Greenbrier, Arkansas 72058 Sri Lanka USA e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Alex Rübel Dr. Arnold Sitompul Direktor Zoo Zürich Conservation Science Initiative Zürichbergstrasse 221 Jl. Setia Budi Pasar 2 CH - 8044 Zürich Komp. Insan Cita Griya Blok CC No 5 Switzerland Medan, 20131 e-mail: [email protected] Indonesia e-mail:[email protected] GAJAH Journal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group Number 39 (2013) This publication of Gajah was financed by the International Elephant Foundation Editorial Note Articles published in Gajah may be used, distributed and reproduced in any medium, provided the article is properly cited. Gajah will be published as both a hard copy and an on-line version accessible from the AsESG web site (www.asesg.org/gajah.htm). If you would like to be informed when a new issue comes out, please provide your e-mail address. If you would like to have a hardcopy, please send a request with your name and postal address by e-mail to <[email protected]> or to: Jayantha Jayewardene 615/32 Rajagiriya Gardens Nawala Road, Rajagiriya Sri Lanka Cover: Kuttiyankavu Temple Festival in Kerala (India) Photo by Marshal C. Radhakrishnan Layout and formatting by Dr. Jennifer Pastorini Printed at E & S Prints Solutions, Rathmalana Editorial Gajah 39 (2013) 1-2 Sustainability of Asian Elephant Conservation: Linking Conservation and Sustainable Development Arnold Sitompul (Editorial Board Member) E-mail: [email protected] The conservation of large mammals like remains low, it will be very difficult to ensure the the Asian Elephant is far more complicated sustainability of elephant conservation. In this compared to that of other small species, such as context, linking elephant conservation to local insects. Elephants require a large habitat area to economic development in a local community is live, and therefore often compete with humans. critical. Rapid human population growth, particularly in the Asian region, has resulted in the conversion The important challenge is how to develop an of extensive elephant habitat into development elephant conservation strategy that can be strong- such as agricultural areas and human settlements. ly linked to economic development. Elephant To reduce poverty in the community, most conservation and economic development can governments in developing countries in be linked to at least three issues. First, elephant Asia prioritize economic development. As a conservation through habitat preservation can consequence, the protection of elephant habitat have a direct economic benefit on the people is always in conflict with development programs. as it will ensure the sustainability of ecosystem This experience can be found in most Asian services (such as clean water supply, local elephant range countries and is predicted to climate control and prevention of natural continue in the next five decades. disasters). This issue might have been raised by a few conservation programs. However, the Scientists, on the other hand, suggest the need to implementation is very limited and mostly for focus elephant conservation strategy on habitat valuation purpose only. For example, many protection such as by creating new protected studies have confirmed that elephant habitat areas. Despite the importance of these strategies, provides substantial ecosystem services such as the implementation is very difficult. This is water supply for agriculture, carbon sequestration probably due to the limited direct economic to reduce climate change, and prevention of benefit given by the protected area to the local extensive floods and landslides. All these services economy. As a result, it is difficult to get the need to be economically valuated and used to pay establishment of new protected areas endorsed for the management of elephant habitat including by the community and the government. In this the implementation of community development complex situation, we need to develop a more programs in areas adjacent to elephant habitat. innovative and sustainable elephant conservation Payment for Environmental Services (PES) strategy, such as by linking elephant conservation or Carbon Credit schemes need to be included directly to economic improvement at local and as an integral part of development programs national levels. and the heavily embedded in national strategic development plans. Many studies have identified the major issues in elephant conservation in the Asian region Second, elephant conservation can have a as habitat loss, poaching and human-elephant direct impact on economic development in the conflict. These issues are strongly linked to community through the operation of sustainable extensive poverty, which causes low economic ecotourism programs. This initiative has been growth. If the community continues to live in successfully implemented in some countries poverty, and if the national economic growth (e.g. Thailand) but need to be expanded in 1 other elephant range countries. It is important both government-owned and privately-owned to integrate professional tourism programs companies), then there will be a chance to involving intensive marketing strategies with stop the conversion of elephant habitat to large elephant conservation programs. The direct scale plantations. In this case, conservation as economic benefits from tourism will contribute a concept of market education and awareness value to elephant conservation programs. is critically important. Furthermore, elephant Therefore, elephant conservation programs will conservation programs should acknowledge best be seen as a strategic national program that can practices from the private sector that promote directly contribute to the national economy. sustainable products. It is, therefore, important to enhance direct collaboration with the private Third, elephant conservation through the market sector to promote “elephant friendly” practices in education program can support sustainable their concession areas. industries with the requirement to produce sustainable products that will be accepted in the Implementing the above issues at national market. In this way, the global market can play level is a challenging task. However, this is not an important role in protecting the environment impossible, if all stakeholders on the national and through the recognition of products resulting global levels are willing to work together to find from sustainable management (eco consumer a solution. I strongly recommend that elephant demand). Market pressure can ensure the private conservation be further developed on a broader sector will improve their business behaviour context. The traditional conservation strategy to become more sustainable and produce eco should be expanded to be more advanced, such friendly products. as by introducing the concept of sustainable development and green economy. If the concept For example, oil palm, pulp and paper industries is applied, it will be more likely to get political are currently making a significant contribution support from the government, and social support to Indonesia’s economic growth. Most of these from the community. Furthermore, the private industries are located in Sumatra and are mostly sector, an important stakeholder in elephant oriented to land based production. As a result, a conservation activities, will be more willing significant extent of elephant habitat is converted to include the conservation agenda in their to oil palm and pulp and paper plantations. Such business plan. When all stakeholders recognize business activities need to be re-evaluated in the significance of the conservation agenda as a the future. Producers need to be aware that their “need” and not simply as an “obligation”, then products will only be accepted by buyers when it will be much easier to convince them that it is produced through sustainable management. important for elephants to exist on this planet to If there is control from buyers (including ensure human existence in the future. Tourists can easily observe elephants in the Minneriya National Park (Sri Lanka) Photo by Jennifer Pastorini 2 Research Article Gajah 39 (2013) 3-11 Past, Present and Future of Wild Elephants in Maharashtra,