Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the government to involve Gen Z, wildlife photographers, environmentalists and wildlife conservation groups in its ongoing programme to protect Sri Lanka’s elephants and tuskers.
Addressing the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change, Premadasa said protecting the country’s wildlife and ecosystems required the collective involvement of all stakeholders, including the younger generation.
He welcomed the government’s ongoing conservation efforts involving the security forces, the Ministry of Environment and the Wild Tusker group, describing their participation as a positive development.
However, he pointed out that several wildlife photographers and environmentalists had also made significant contributions to elephant conservation by identifying, naming and monitoring individual elephants and tuskers.
Premadasa said these individuals had demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting elephants and should therefore be included in the government’s conservation programme.
He also questioned the government’s initiative to protect 17 tuskers, claiming that several elephants requiring protection had not been included in the programme.
The Opposition Leader urged the authorities to bring together all groups involved in elephant conservation to ensure that every elephant requiring protection is adequately safeguarded.
Meanwhile, Premadasa raised concerns over the shortage of wildlife veterinarians, stating that only 17 veterinarians were currently serving despite a requirement for 33.
He called on the government to address the vacancies to strengthen wildlife protection efforts.
Premadasa also stressed the need for caution when conducting elephant censuses, alleging that previous surveys had been followed by incidents in which influential individuals captured and domesticated elephants.
He claimed that several elephant calves had been illegally taken from Minneriya National Park in the past and urged authorities to ensure that future censuses are conducted with adequate safeguards.
Speaking on broader environmental issues, Premadasa said the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change would focus on disaster prevention, strengthening environmental policies and evaluating their implementation.
He also highlighted the importance of involving scientific experts in protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife, forests, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and marine environment.
The forum, co-chaired by Premadasa and Professor L. M. Abeywickrama, also discussed the environmental and social impacts of climate change and the importance of incorporating scientific expertise into national policymaking. (Newswire)
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