The island nation has deployed military units to protect wild elephants and tuskers, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing a local media report.
The government approved a special joint operation involving the country’s three armed forces and the wildlife conservation department to protect wild elephants and tuskers while addressing human-elephant conflict, according to local news site News Wire on Saturday.
The initiative was discussed at a meeting earlier this week chaired by Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi and attended by army commander Lt General KV Nilantha P Premaratne, wildlife officials and drone operations representatives.
Under the programme, a special operations centre will be established at army headquarters to coordinate elephant protection activities.
Authorities also decided to introduce special security arrangements for identified tuskers roaming high-risk areas.
The military will deploy dedicated units to monitor their movements and provide protection in vulnerable locations, particularly where elephants face threats from illegal activities.
The programme will also focus on preventing elephant killings, the use of explosive bait locally known as “hakka patas”, and other wildlife crimes.
The wildlife department will train designated military personnel to handle wild animals and conduct field operations.
The Environment Ministry said the joint programme would be implemented on the ground “as soon as possible”. — Bernama
