In a move aimed at reducing the rising human-elephant conflict, the Ministry of Environment has announced plans to establish special elephant monitoring units in five high-risk districts.
Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi confirmed that the units will operate in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Kurunegala areas that have frequently reported human-elephant incidents.
The units will consist of wildlife officers, civil defense personnel, and military soldiers who will carry out round-the-clock monitoring and ensure rapid responses to any incidents.
Minister Patabendi stated that the decision follows weeks of consultations with relevant agencies to implement a coordinated strategy designed to protect both human lives and elephant populations.
Authorities emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader effort to manage human-elephant interactions more effectively while promoting wildlife conservation.
