Sustainability Efforts

A Story of Transformation: 3.5 Years of Making a Difference : Buttala - Gonagan Ara

Three and a half years ago, we embarked on a mission—a project not just aimed at conservation but at restoring harmony between people and wildlife. What started as a bold initiative to protect both human livelihoods and elephant populations has now blossomed into an inspiring story of resilience, coexistence, and renewal.

Through the project, we sought to create a sustainable solution to one of Sri Lanka’s most pressing conflicts: human-elephant encounters. For years, farming communities of the Buttala - Gonagan-Ara ,lived in fear of nighttime raids by elephants, losing not just their crops but their means of survival. At the same time, elephants, drawn by the scent of food, often faced retaliation from frustrated villagers. It was a cycle of loss—until we stepped in to change the narrative.

Three and a half years later, the results speak for themselves.

Zero Elephant Attacks – Since the project's implementation, there hasn’t been a single incident of elephant intrusion, ensuring the safety of both the community and the wildlife. The Elephant now enjoys abundance of Water and a thriving grassland inside the national Park.

Thriving Agriculture – What was once barren land, abandoned due to the risk of destruction and lack of Water, is now flourishing. Farmers have reclaimed their fields, cultivating a rich variety of crops that sustain their families and the local economy.

A Community Transformed – The most profound impact cannot be measured in statistics alone. The villagers, once living in constant fear, now experience stability and growth. Children go to school without worry, families invest in their futures, and the bond between people and nature has been redefined—not as adversaries, but as cohabitants of this shared land.

This success is a testament to the power of sustainable initiatives, proving that with the right approach, conservation can go hand in hand with community prosperity. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife while empowering its people, ensuring that future generations inherit a landscape where both humans and elephants thrive in harmony.