Wildlife Dept. evolves solution to human-elephant conflict Massive trench to keep away jumbos from human habitats

The proposed project will be implemented with the help of the officials of several government institutions and the political authority in the Puttalam District

By Hiran Priyanka Jayasinghe   

The Department of Wildlife has planned to erect a massive trench covering a distance of 30kms to prevent the human elephant conflict in the Puttalam District.   

Wildlife Conservator General- Chandana Suriyabandara told a meeting held at the District Secretariat, to create awareness in that regard, stating that the proposed project would be implemented with the help of the officials of several government institutions and the political authority in the district.   

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the District Secretary K.G.Wijesiri.   
The director pointed out that the proposed project would cover five divisions in the district.   

 “ The proposed trench will be 10ft deep , 10ft wide at the bottom and 22ft wide at the mouth. Wild elephants will not be able to get into the trench that would be 22ft wide at the ground level. I am hopeful that this would be an effective plan to prevent the wild elephants roaming into the human habitats ” The Conservator General of Wildlife further said.   

State Minister Sanath Nishantha Perera, Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee, Parliamentarian Asok Priyantha, Addl District Secretary Ravindra Wickremesinghe, the Divisional Secretaries and the senior officials of several government institutions were present at the meeting.