New homes for straying jumbos

The human - elephant conflict can be controlled to a great extent once the four elephant conservation centres are ready for occupation by straying jumbos, Wildlife and Agrarian Services Deputy Minister S M Chandrasena said. Addressing a press conference at the Information Department, the minister said a number of projects are scheduled to commence next year to solve the human - elephant conflict.

He said Rs 250 million was allocated this year to construct the elephant conservation centre in a 3,500 acre land in Horowpathana.

"About 75 percent of the construction work has been completed. It is to be opened in April next year. The conservation centre also has 10 tanks and a pasture, expected to produce half the food requirements of the elephants, with the rest to be purchased from farmers," the deputy minister said.

Stranded wild elephants which are aggressive by nature and wild elephants which have become victims of hunters in the Northern and North Central Provinces, will be sent to the conservation centres, Chandrasena said.

Budget 2013 allocated Rs 225 million to construct another conservation centre in a 6,000 acre land in Lunugamvehera. Construction work would commence by January next year. Wild elephants in the Southern and Uva Provinces will be housed at this centre.

The deputy minister said steps have been taken to send wild elephants in Somawathiya to the Madura Oya Conservation Centre.

He said a land in Palukadawala in Galgamuwa in the North Western Province has been purchased to construct another conservation centre. Chandrasena said Civil Defence Force personnel have been deployed to protect and maintain the 1400km electric fences.