Wildlife officials challenge Minister’s claim

By Ifham Nizam

The Wild Life Department has challenged Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s claim that a staggering Rs 1,921 mn had been spent so far this year on thunder flashes used to chase away wild elephants. The Department said that particular allocation was Rs 14-15 mn. The previous year’s expenditure had been estimated at Rs 149 mm.

Wildlife Department officials said that the amount claimed by the Minister was puzzling and it had to be found out who had received the money.

Minister Amaraweera said elephant repellents required to drive away wild elephants were bought from local fireworks manufacturers and some 1.4 million elephant repellents were required per year.

The Minister said the main reasons for elephant invasion were the human settlements in forest lands where the elephants were roaming freely, and cultivation of those lands.