The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) will mark World Elephant Day with its August monthly lecture titled ‘Elephant Conservation in a Human Dominated Landscape’, to be delivered by renowned Indian conservationist Praveen Bhargav today at 6.00 p.m. at Jasmine Hall, BMICH.
The lecture comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka, as the country continues to grapple with the growing challenge of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). Expanding human settlements, agriculture, infrastructure development and the fragmentation of natural habitats have increasingly forced elephants to navigate landscapes heavily influenced by human activity.
As traditional migratory routes disappear and habitats become degraded, encounters between people and elephants are becoming more frequent, resulting in significant losses for both communities and wildlife. In 2025 alone, 397 elephant deaths were reported, highlighting the urgent need for practical, science-based and long-term solutions.
The challenge facing Sri Lanka is therefore not simply how to protect elephants or how to protect people from elephants, but rather how to manage the landscapes they share. Against this backdrop, the lecture will examine whether conservation efforts can move beyond the boundaries of protected areas towards a more comprehensive model of coexistence.
Praveen Bhargav brings more than four decades of experience in wildlife conservation, policy, advocacy and law to the discussion. His journey as a conservationist began in 1982, and in 1995 he co-founded Wildlife First, one of India’s leading conservation organisations, where he continues to serve as Managing Trustee.
Over the years, he has served on India’s National Board for Wildlife, advised numerous government institutions and contributed extensively to wildlife conservation policy and legislation. He presently serves on the Inquiry Committee on the Segur Elephant Corridor constituted by the Supreme Court of India and has played a pivotal role in several landmark conservation interventions.
His work spans scientific field research, wildlife law, habitat protection, environmental advocacy and capacity building for law enforcement agencies, making him uniquely qualified to address the complex relationship between wildlife conservation and human development.
WNPS Monthly Lecture Series has, for many years, brought together leading scientists, conservationists and environmental thinkers from Sri Lanka and around the world, creating a platform for informed dialogue on the country’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The Monthly Lecture is supported by Nations Trust Bank and this special edition, featuring Praveen Bhargav, is made possible through the generous support of Spa Ceylon Ayurveda Wellness. Be there to Witness the wild, reimagined. The lecture is open to all, entrance free.