Cabinet approves Wild Elephant Management Reserve in Hambantota

Habitats of wild elephants and other animals are being severely affected by development projects in Hambantota.

As a solution to the rapidly increasing number of incidents between wild elephants and humans the Department of Wildlife Conservation has taken steps to declare an elephant management reserve for elephants and other wildlife using a 23,746.55 hectare land belonging to the Department of Forest Conservation and Sri Lanka Mahaveli Authority.

The Department of Forest Conservation and Sri Lanka Mahaveli Authority has drafted the gazette notification containing the guidelines and regulations necessary for the purpose.

The combined resolution tabled by the Minister of Irrigation and Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has been approved by the cabinet to publish the gazette notification following the Legal Draftsman's agreement.