President Instructs Safari Garden In Jaffna
Shakila Ifham
November 1, 2022
Plans are underway to set up a 1,000 acre Safari Garden in the once war torn Jaffna Peninsula.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Mahinda Amaraweera to look for suitable land for setting up a 1000-acre safari sanctuary in the Northern Province.
At present, no separate safari sanctuary has been established for school children and adults in the Northern Province to study animals or for entertainment purposes.
Most of the sanctuaries and zoos are located in the other parts of the country. So the people of five districts of the Northern Province have to visit the zoos in the south.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera informed the Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Mrs. Chandra Herath, as well as the Director General of Wildlife and the Director General of the Department of Forest Resources to look into suitable land for the new safari sanctuary proposed to be established in the Northern Province.
The minister also informed that the possibility of introducing certain species of animals that are present in the national zoos as well as the species that are currently spread in urban areas and are harmful to people’s gardens to this park should also be investigated.
The officials pointed out that, if necessary, afforestation can be done on the lands identified and then steps can be taken to introduce wild animals there.
Attention was also paid to the deer herds spread around the Homagama area, and it was also discussed about directing the animals to the safari sanctuary proposed to be established in the Northern Province after a thorough health examination.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera advised the Director General of Wildlife to strictly implement the instructions given by the President not to take steps to temporarily allow private vehicles into the Yala National Park.
The minister also said that local and foreign tourists visiting the Yala National Park can use safari vehicles there on rental basis.
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