July 29, Colombo (LNW): Wildlife, Forest Resources Conservation and Irrigation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has announced the commencement of the country’s first elephant population survey in 13 years, set to begin in the next two months.
This initiative aims to address the ongoing human-elephant conflict, with over 4,700 workers hired to maintain 5,390 km of electric fencing.
Speaking at the “Two Years of Progress and Way Forward” press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre, Wanniarachchi highlighted significant increases in tourist numbers.
In 2022, 289,405 tourists visited, rising to 444,053 in 2023, and reaching 364,521 in the first half of 2024 alone.
The proportion of foreign tourists also grew from 19.8% in 2022 to 40% in 2024.
To boost the eco-tourism sector and strengthen the economy, regulations have been approved by Parliament.
The Gal Oya National Park opened as a new tourist destination in 2023, along with the Kudava Dorana Ela information centre in Sinharaja Forest.
This year saw the inauguration of the Manigala Forest Lodge in Knuckles Forest Reserve, a bicycle path in Udawattakele, Kandy, and the Bandarawela Falls Lodge and Galwila Ecological Park in Puttalam.
Sanitary facilities for foreign tourists have been established at popular destinations, and an online ticket reservation system, “Day Visitor E-Permits,” is now available for several national parks.
Efforts to increase forest cover to 32% by 2030 are underway, including acquiring 144,000 hectares of new forest land and encouraging tree planting outside forests.
Mangrove restoration has received international acclaim, with 326 hectares planted in the past two years, earning Sri Lanka the United Nations Flagship Award.
Despite economic challenges, the Department of National Zoological Gardens reported significant revenue growth, reaching Rs. 728.60 million by June 2024.
The State Timber Corporation is also expected to record a net profit, with revenue reaching Rs. 2,000 million in 2024.
The press briefing was attended by key officials including Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara, Director General of Wildlife, E.A.P.N. Edirisinghe, Conservator General of Forests, Anoma Priyadarshani, Director of National Zoological Gardens, and the Deputy General Manager (Marketing) of the State Timber Corporation.
