Sri Lanka, Nov. 24 -- Despite wildlife officials expressing confidence on the ongoing efforts to drive wild elephants out of Hambantota villages, Environmental law expert Dr. Jagath Gunawardana said it's only worsening the human-elephant conflict rather than resolving it.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, he said the practice of chasing elephants from one area to another only aggravates the problem, as displaced herds move into new villages, triggering fresh confrontations.

"These drives don't solve anything - they only create more issues," he cautioned.

Dr. Gunawardana explained that the operations are breaking up elephant herds, leaving calves vulnerable and stressing the animals.

The repeated use of firecrackers and thunder blasts, he adde...