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Army assistance to protect forests, wildlife

by Florence Wickramage

The Department of Forest Conservation has decided to seek Army assistance to protect forests, Wildlife Conservator General Sarath Fernando told the Daily News yesterday.

The Forest Conservation Department and Wildlife Con servation Department will seek army assistance to handle emergencies.

The decision taken on the directions of Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Rukman Senanayake follows the unfortunate killing of Range Officer Kumarasiri.

It has been noted that wildlife guards and rangers have to be better equipped with weapons, communication equipment and training to tackle difficult situations while on duty.

A General of the Army has been nominated to be contacted by field officers of Forest and Wildlife Departments in difficult situations where they would require assistance from army personnel, said Sarath Fernando.

Under this plan all field officers who are engaged in raids will be afforded a certain degree of military practice as well as training in handling weapons, Fernando said.

A group of field officers of the Forest Department have been trained in the Police Training School and have been equipped with proper arms and ammunition for their field-raids.

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