The government has announced decisive measures to free three major elephant corridors, Wetahirakanda, Hadapanagala, and Koholankala, for the free movement of elephants, under the National Programme aimed at providing practical and sustainable solutions to the long‑standing human‑elephant conflict.
The initiative was revealed at a press conference held yesterday (08) at the Government Information Department, led by Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi and Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody.
For years, these corridors had been obstructed due to irregular development projects and politically motivated land allocations, disrupting traditional migratory routes of elephants and intensifying the human‑elephant conflict.
The new government has now moved to resolve legal, administrative, and social issues to restore these lands for wildlife.
As part of the programme, “Elephant Feeding Zones” will be established within wildlife reserves to prevent elephants from encroaching into villages.
These zones will cultivate natural food sources such as grasses and plants, while tanks and ponds will be renovated to meet water needs during dry seasons. (Newswire)
