Another rapid initiative under the environmental conservation programme jointly implemented by the Ministry of Environment and the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme was launched today (Oct. 10) in the Puttalam District, centring on Karuwalagaswewa Tabbowa Tank.
The main objective of this programme is to offer a sustainable solution to the human-elephant conflict, which poses a significant challenge in Sri Lanka. To address this issue, a national initiative has been launched under the theme “Beyond Electric Fences – Towards a Sustainable Solution.”
As a key component of this national initiative, the creation of elephant-friendly ecosystems and the development of elephant habitat enrichment areas have been identified as priorities. As an initial step, invasive plant species such as Japan Jabara and Kalapu Andara, which had encroached upon the Tabbowa Tank area, were removed. Nearly one thousand participants, including members of the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, local youth, environmental volunteers and schoolchildren, contributed to this voluntary community service effort.
Under this programme, measures will also be taken to restore degraded tank ecosystems within wildlife sanctuaries and enhance this effort by establishing a mechanism at the Divisional Secretariat level through Village Committees.
In parallel with this initiative, the Department of Irrigation carried out boundary marking around Tabbowa Tank, while the Department of Forest Conservation removed invasive species within the Galwila Environmental Park as well as conducted a community-based development programme there. Furthermore, in the coming days, plans are in place to renovate the Elaris and Anatha tanks in the Vanathavilluwa area, clear vegetation along both sides of the Karuwalagaswewa electric fence and restore the path running alongside the Vanathavilluwa electric fence.
The inauguration ceremony of this programme, organised jointly by the Ministry of Environment and the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme, was graced by the Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi, the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abeyratne and the Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, together with Members of Parliament representing the Puttalam District. Also in attendance were Kapila Senarath (Director – Social), Anjula Premarathna (Director – Environment) and Isuru Anuradha (Director – Information Technology) of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, along with the District Secretary of Puttalam, Additional District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries and several other state officials.
(President’s Media Division)
