Action For Nature is proud to announce our 2018 International Young Eco-Hero Awards, which recognize young people 8 to 16 years old for their environmental achievements. We hope the accomplishments of these outstanding young people will inspire many others to preserve and protect the Earth upon which all life depends.
In rural Sri Lanka, children sometimes had to miss school because of heavy rain and danger from elephants on the five-kilometer route. But now, thanks to the work and fundraising of Anya and the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Society, they can travel safely on an “Elefriendly Bus.” The elephants are sometimes violent because of their negative interactions with local farmers who are trying to protect their crops from destruction by these animals who are searching for food.
Each year between 50 and 80 humans die and between 150 and 250 elephants are killed due to human/elephant conflict “Elephants are an important symbol of Sri Lanka for me and I want future generations to be able to live together with these giant, beautiful creatures,” explains Anya. Through her writing, videography and speaking out, Anya is educating her community on ways that humans and elephants can co-exist.