“Live And Let Live” Project Implemented In Bedi Wewa In Habarana …
Shakila Ifham
November 7, 2022
A unique tri-partied effort by the TUI Foundation in Germany, under its TUI Wildlife Sri Lanka segment, the Center for Conservation and Research (CCR) involved as the scientific advisors to the project and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts
Lives of the elephants at the vicinity of the Minneriya reservoirs are at stake, says Dr.Prithiviraj, Chairman for Centre for Conservation and Research at the launching of “Live and let live” project recently in Habarana .
He says that the improper implementation of water management system of the Moragahakanda reservoir has caused catastrophic effects on the health and wellbeing of 300 to 400 elephant population in Minneriya lake grounds.
Dr. Fernando and Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Former Director General of Wildlife shared many details related to the deaths and disappearance of elephants found near the Minneriya reservoirs.
“If substantial measures are not taken to control the levels of water released from Moragahakanda reservoir to Minneriya reservoirs by mid 2023, there certainly is going to be great consequences and food scarcity for a greater wildlife population’’, Dr. Pilapitiya told journalists.
There is a considerable amount of Elephant deaths taking place annually due to Human-Elephant conflict, which is why “Live and let live” project was implemented, says Chitral Jayatilake, Vice President – Nature Trails Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who was the Chief Guest at the launch said that sadly Sri Lanka is now the world’s top human-elephant conflict victim.
He added that this is a 60-year problem that has worsened over the years.
A unique tri-partied effort by the TUI Foundation in Germany, under its TUI Wildlife Sri Lanka segment, the Center for Conservation and Research (CCR), involved as the scientific advisors to the project and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts who has undertaken the coordination, and assistance for TUI Foundation in Germany, under the guidance of Dr. Prithviraj Fernando.
This project aims to save lives of both humans and elephants with the establishment of electric fences in a systemic manner.
Even if the Human-Elephant conflict can be mitigated with this methodology, there should be more plans relating to Moragahakanda reservoir and Minneriya reservoir which is causing a rising threat to the lives of Elephants.
Dr. Pilapitiya further added, “The secretary of the Ministry of Irrigation has agreed to act upon the amount of water released by these reservoirs and to release the water in the precise percentages”
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