A decision has been taken to relocate wild monkeys to an island under a pilot project, as a solution to mitigate crop destruction, NPP MP Jagath Manuwarna said. 

Speaking to reporters, MP Manuwarna said that a large island in the Randenigala Dam has been identified to relocate the monkeys. 

To prevent the monkeys from approaching the mainland, he further said that electric fences will be put up around the island. 

MP Manuwarna revealed that this decision has been taken based on the approval of the committee, consisting of experts from the Irrigation Ministry, Wildlife Department, and other relevant institutions, that was appointed to address crop destruction by wild monkeys.

“The committee has approved this proposal. We will select 15 villages under the pilot project. It will be implemented under the guidance of several key institutions, such as the Navy, Wildlife Department, and Peradeniya University. We have formulated a system for the monkeys to be monitored, involving several institutions, including the Navy and experts,” he said. 

Stating that this is the first time such a project is being implemented in Sri Lanka as well as in the world, MP Manuwarna said there may be shortcomings going forward, which the authorities intend to address as they occur. (Newswire)

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The pilot programme to sterilise monkeys, in a bid to address crop destruction, commences in Matale today.

The Agriculture Ministry has allocated Rs. 4.5 million for this programme, which has received the support of several veterinarians.

The monkeys are to be transported to the Wildlife Research & Training Centre in Giritale, where they will be sterilised, and later released back to the wild. 

The Agriculture Ministry intends to expand the programme islandwide in the near future. 

Meanwhile, commenting on his recent statement in Parliament regarding crop-destructing monkeys, Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha said he had only highlighted the need to contain this menace.

Stating that environmentalists were raising concerns over the killing of monkeys, the minister said his intentions were only to contain the menace to help the livelihoods of farmers. 

“I think it is good that environmentalists have engaged in this dialogue. I intended to create countrywide awareness on the matter. Now, the involvement of various parties has achieved this. All parties need to work together to find a quick solution. As by the time long-term solutions are implemented, farmers would have abandoned farming due to this menace,” he said. (Newswire) 

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