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In few districts, crop pest count verification not complete
View(s):The Agriculture Ministry is yet to cover a few districts to complete the random survey and confirm the accuracy as well as validity of the problem animal census done nearly 50 days back.
The five-minute census on problem animals was done on March 15 where people were asked to count Macaques, Langurs, giant squirrels and peacocks.
The ministry appointed a Special Committee for Reducing Damages Caused by Wild Animals. It held its most recent meeting last week, and held talks on a stakeholder workshop after the final result of the census.
Hemantha Aamarasinghe, director (agriculture technology) who is also a member of the committee, said that university students, wildlife experts, animal welfare activists, environmentalists as well as officials of departments such as Wildlife Conservation, Forest Conservation and others as well as ministries would be called for the workshop where knowledge will be shared a discussion will take place on a viable plan to control crop pests.
Mr Amarasinghe said the survey is done while officials do their regular work, so in districts such as Monaragala, Kandy, Puttalam, and Matara, the survey is not complete.
He explained that due to the local government elections this week, the officials such as Grama Sewaka and agricultural officers of Grama Niladhari areas would not be doing surveys.
Conservationists said that they have already given solutions to resolve the human monkey conflict, as well as mechanisms to reduce crop damage by other animals, but the government is doing something entirely different.
Environmental activist and researcher, Supun Lahiru Prakash told the Sunday Times that experts and scientists have studied human animal conflicts, gathered scientific knowledge had given practical remedies, yet these are overlooked by governments.
“Governments try to implement popular actions, not scientifically accurate and practical measures, this is why most wildlife issues remain unsolved,” he said.
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