The Sri Lankan government has decided to launch a special joint operation involving the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the three armed forces to strengthen the protection of wild elephants and tuskers while addressing human-elephant conflict.
The initiative was discussed at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Environment on October 23, chaired by Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody.
Army Commander Lt. Gen. K. V. Nilantha P. Premaratne, senior wildlife officials, military intelligence and drone operations representatives, and members of environmental organisations, including Wild Tusker, attended the meeting.
Under the proposed programme, a special operations centre will be established at Army Headquarters to coordinate elephant protection activities. Wildlife officers, veterinarians and personnel from the three armed forces will be assigned to the centre.
Authorities have also agreed to introduce special security arrangements for identified tuskers roaming in high-risk areas.
Dedicated Army units will be deployed to monitor their movements and provide protection in vulnerable locations, with particular attention to areas where elephants face threats from illegal activities.
The programme will also strengthen efforts to prevent elephant killings, the use of explosive bait known as hakka patas, and other wildlife crimes.
Joint emergency raids will be intensified in conflict-affected areas, while a reliable intelligence-gathering system will be developed to identify and respond to threats against wildlife.
The meeting also discussed measures to control public gatherings around sick or injured elephants and improve community awareness of wildlife conservation.
Military personnel will receive specialised training from the Department of Wildlife Conservation on handling wild animals and conducting field operations.
Meanwhile, wildlife officers will be provided accommodation at military camps and access to facilities needed for field research and conservation activities.
Authorities have agreed to conduct weekly data reviews to update operational plans, while monthly progress review meetings will be held with key stakeholders.
The Ministry of Environment said the joint programme would be implemented at the ground level as soon as possible, with the objective of protecting wildlife, safeguarding human lives and reducing human-elephant conflict. (Newswire)
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