30 May 2024 12:03 am Views - 441
The Cabinet nod has been granted to develop 52 wildlife bungalows strategically located in key wildlife parks, on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, to gain traction in particular from foreign tourists, to boost the revenue to support the wildlife conservation efforts.
Wildlife Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers this week to invite declarations of intent from the concerned parties and to enter into memorandum of understanding between the selected parties and Wildlife Department accordingly.
“… it has been recognised that the wildlife bungalows should be improved physically and that it is advisable to take the contribution of the private sector organisations and parties who are interested in contributing voluntarily to these activities and that these activities should not contradict the provisions of the Wildlife and Flora Ordinance,” the Government Information Department stated.
According to the Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardane, the 52 wildlife bungalows managed by the Wildlife Conservation Department are currently at dire situation, due to poor maintenance.
“This will create a win-win situation for tourism and for wildlife conservation efforts, with the expected boost in revenue to the department,” he said.
He noted that these 52 wildlife bungalows would be developed on a PPP basis, with the involvement of the private sector players.