Zones for wild elephants through tourism income - Minister

Amila PRABHATH WANASINGHE- Tennekone Kulasekera

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena said steps have been taken to maintain special zones for elephants in areas where human-elephants conflicts are rampant from the income generated by the tourism industry.

These zones will be set up in a total of 3000 acres in Horowpothana to cover the North Central and North Western provinces, Veheragala to cover the Southern Province and Madura Oya to cover the Eastern Province, while enabling local and foreign tourists to see them. Arrangements will also be made to set up places for the tourists to view the wild elephants.

The Minister said at present various measures are being taken to protect the people from wild elephants and these zones are another step in this regard. The Minister added that villagers nearby will be allowed to grow food for elephants so that they earn an income.