Giant squirrels, monkeys eat up 107 million coconuts each year

Squatters in sanctuaries exacerbates human-jumbo conflict

By Ifham Nizam

Giant Squirrels also known as Rock Squirrels, and monkeys destroy some 107 million coconuts annually, a recent survey by the research team of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute has revealed.

Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry officials had a discussion, last Friday, on how to solve the problems such as human activities in the Sigiriya forest reserve, crop damage caused by wild animals, and the human-elephant conflict.

Minister of State for Defence, Pramita Bandara Tennakoon, Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Chandra Herath, Director General of Wildlife Chandana Suriyabandara, and others participated at the discussion.

A proposal was presented to protect the Sigiriya forest reserve and prevent the conflict between wild elephants and humans

It was emphasised that the people who were currently living in the vicinity of the Sigiriya reserve should not be evicted, but no one would be allowed to settle again.

Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, expressing his opinion on the latest research report, conducted by ARTI on crop damage caused by wild animals, said that 107 million coconuts were destroyed by Rock Squirrels and monkeys.

Weevils destroyed about six percent of the rice harvest in this country.

The Minister also expressed concern about the worsening of human-elephant conflict.