By Newswire Editorial
Special Army units are expected to be deployed along elephant migration routes in high-risk areas to protect wild elephants, as part of plans to expand the ongoing ‘Hasthi Sena’ joint operation.
The proposed measures were discussed at a meeting chaired by Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody at the Ministry of Environment today (09), with the participation of the Ministry Secretary and senior officials of the three armed forces.
The Hasthi Sena operation, jointly conducted by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the three armed forces, aims to protect Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population and address the escalating human-elephant conflict.
During the meeting, attention was focused on deploying special Army protection units along elephant migration routes, particularly in areas frequented by solitary tuskers and elephant herds with calves.
Plans were also discussed to continuously monitor elephants in high-risk migration zones and surrounding ecosystems to ensure their safety.
The meeting further focused on strengthening intelligence-led operations to crack down on wildlife crimes, including the manufacture, distribution and use of hakka patas (explosive bait), trap guns and illegal firearms.
Authorities discussed conducting targeted raids to dismantle networks involved in these illegal activities, which pose a serious threat to wild elephants.
It was also decided to submit a Cabinet memorandum to formalise and expand the Hasthi Sena operation under a structured policy and legal framework.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening wildlife protection measures while addressing the growing human-elephant conflict in the country. (Newswire)