INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation and Irrigation says the government is planning to leverage modern technology in
mitigating the human-elephant conflict.Pavithra Wanniarachchi, highlighting the ongoing pilot projects utilizing advanced tools such as
high-intensity light currents, powerful sound waves and drones, said these initiatives have been launched in regions like Anuradhapura,
Puttalam, Ampara, addressing prevalent human-elephant conflicts.The minister shared these insights during her participation in the news
A key aspect of this initiative involves providing assistance to communities residing on the forest periphery to foster forest
protection.The idea is that if these communities can improve their livelihoods through the forest, they will naturally become advocates for
these resources can contribute to forest conservation
Notably, green tourism projects hold significant potential, presenting an opportunity to generate substantial revenue for the country
Efforts are underway to maximize the utilization of existing forests and to reforest areas that have been degraded
existing forests.Financial resources have been allocated for tree planting along roadsides and a government project providing saplings to
The ministry has experienced a remarkable 135% increase in income compared to the previous year, achieving impressive revenue of Rs.1670
4700 million so far this year.The escalating human-elephant conflict is a significant concern
The population of both humans and elephants is rising and the cultivation activities of people are encroaching upon elephant habitats
Plans for the construction of a thousand kilometres of new fences next year aim to prevent elephants from entering human-populated areas
Additionally, 4000 workers from the Department of Multipurpose Development Task Force have been recruited as permanent employees to protect
these areas, offering a potential solution to the conflict.Various projects are being implemented to protect the living environment of
elephants, including providing alternative lands through the elephant corridor
Pilot projects involving high beam lights, high frequency sound waves and drones, with the support of the Navy and Air Force are underway to
explore ways of deterring elephants from entering certain areas.--PMD--
