Kuala Lumpur: Connecting wildlife habitats, particularly for elephants, through ecological corridors is one of the long-term strategies proposed to alleviate human-mammal conflicts, stated Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. In addition to this, he highlighted the potential establishment of elephant corridors in proximity to habitats, including plantation zones, private lands, and forested areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nik Nazmi emphasized the necessity for oil palm plantation companies to collaborate in creating networks of mini corridors within their plantations. He suggested planting natural food sources for elephants in these corridor areas to minimize their reliance on commercial crops. Furthermore, Nik Nazmi proposed the creation of an elephant sanctuary spanning at least 10,000 hectares and the installation of street lights at key elephant crossing sites.

However, he stressed that a long-term solution demands cooperative efforts between federal and state governments, as forests, which are the primary habitats of elephants, fall under state jurisdiction. The federal government is offering additional financial incentives to state governments to protect and conserve these areas through the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for biodiversity conservation. Thus far, RM800 million has been allocated under EFT, including RM250 million this year, resulting in the gazetting of 90,000 hectares of terrestrial protected areas.

Nik Nazmi noted an increase of over 14,000 hectares in Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) area, but he acknowledged that addressing the issue requires more than financial and technical interventions. He called for a comprehensive policy approach and joint commitment from plantation owners, project implementers, local communities, and road users. He also highlighted the need to enhance public awareness, emphasizing that elephant protection concerns not only conservation but also maintaining ecological balance and national heritage.

Commenting on the recent death of a calf elephant due to a collision with a 10-tonne lorry on the East-West Highway (JRTB), Nik Nazmi described it as a tragic accident and a reflection of the significant challenge in the human-nature relationship, especially in wildlife conservation efforts. He cited a 2016 study indicating a 68 percent reduction in elephant habitat due to land use changes for agriculture, plantations, and infrastructure development such as roads and settlements.

Based on records from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), 4,919 complaints of human-elephant conflict were reported between 2020 and 2024, with property losses estimated at RM39.4 million. Over the past five years, eight elephants were reported dead due to road accidents in Peninsular Malaysia, with three incidents occurring this year.