Plans afoot to end human-jumbo conflict
A number of projects would be undertaken to save the lives of both
elephants and human beings along with property, Wildlife Department
Assistant Director and In-charge of the North Western Wildlife Zone
Manjula Amararathna said.
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Elephants, a rich heritage of Sri Lanka |
These projects are implemented following the motto of the Wildlife
Department in 2009/2010 "A country without Human Elephant Conflict."
They would include the erection of electrified fences to the extent
of 300 kilometres and the establishment of elephant rehabilitation
centres and orphanages.
Rs. 900 million has been allocated for projects involving
conservation, preservation and rehabilitation of wild elephants.
Once the Ritigala Elephant Rehabilitation Centre is completed, baby
elephants in Northern and the North Central regions will be herded in it
for rehabilitation. According to statistics during the last 18 years,
2,241 wild jumbos have died due to shooting electrocution and poisoning.
The elephant population is nearly 4,000.
In the meantime, the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry is
exploring the possibility of amending the Fauna and Flora Act to
strengthen the security cover for elephants.
However, the recent surveys have revealed there has been a gradual
increase in the elephant population in the Mahaweli, Udawalawa and North
Western regions despite the human-elephant conflict. |
