An incense stick that aims to solve the human-elephant conflict

Distribution of product samples to the villagers of Nawana, Nikaweratiya 

Product pic

The conflict between humans and pachyderms is an age-old struggle. Fortunately, today we are more self-aware about the nature of this conflict and realise the need to protect these wonderful creatures. 

Various measures have been attempted over the years, nonetheless, they have only met with limited success, due to issues with cost, accessibility and human negligence. Hope, however, seems to be on the horizon and it arrives in the unlikeliest of forms. 

An aromatic incense stick that promises to repel elephants. This, in turn, reduces their contact with bordering human populations and lowers instances of the conflict between humans and their elephant neighbours.

To achieve this extraordinary feat D’las International, a fully-owned subsidiary of renowned HDDES Group, tested its revolutionarily new product in the form of an incense stick which emanates a particular aroma that can keep wild elephants away. 

Research and development of the product started a few years ago and was conducted on the basis of elephants being immensely sensitive to smell, as observed by their behaviour of avoiding certain pungent plants. 

These facts were scientifically tested and no elephants were harmed in the testing process. There was also plenty of research put into sourcing aromas so as to ensure the product was completely natural.

During testing, it was discovered that there were several natural aromas that elephants were adverse to and avoided like the plague. These included palmarosa, patchouli, lemongrass, citronella and ginger. Fortunately, all of these fragrances can be obtained naturally, cost-effectively, in a sustainable and responsible manner.

After this initial discovery was made a suitable incense stick was developed and it was remarkably different from anything else on the market. For a start it was 12 inches long, giving it a burn time of 5½-6 hours. Also unlike traditional incense sticks, it did not burn in a conventional manner and instead burnt horizontally so as to cover a wider area, giving it an effective range of approximately 20m.

D’las International, the organisation behind this remarkable innovation, is the manufacturer of the popular incense stick brand Aura, as well as a range of fine fragrances for the local market. The organisation has tested the product in key areas throughout the island where incidences of elephant and human conflict is known to be high and the results thus far have proven to be better than expected. This included testing by wildlife officers in the Nikawaratiya and Galgamuwa areas, while officials distributed samples to villages most affected in Nawana and Nikaweratiya.

The feedback received from everyone concerned has been impressive and the elephants have reacted just as planned.

“We are under constant threat from these elephants. We know it is not their fault and we do not want to hurt them, but sometimes we have no choice. They have killed many villages over the years, including some children. They frequently destroy our crops, which we depend on to feed our families. We have looked high and low for a solution to this problem, but no one showed any real interest until now. We are hoping and praying that this project will succeed and that we will not have to continue to live in fear,” said Sisira Wijekoon, a resident in Nawana, Nikaweratiya.

The human-elephant conflict is one of the most devastating socioeconomic issues in rural Sri Lanka and immensely impacts the elephant population. Statistics reveal that in recent times there has been a yearly loss of up to 300 elephants and 60 people as a result of this unmitigated conflict. In addition to this millions of rupees worth of crops and property are also lost every year, causing tremendous hardship to already economically unstable areas. 

Furthermore, the various departments have been short-staffed and overworked making it difficult for them to address the problem in a meaningful way. This ground-breaking initiative by D’Ias International brings with it new hope and because of it, we are now closer to solving an age-old problem.