Nimal Wijesinghe, Anuradhapura Additional District Group Corr
Wildlife Affairs and Agrarian Services Development Ministry has embarked on a Rs 2,000 million development plan on par with the Anuradhapura District Deyata Kirula - 2012 overall development programme in the Wildlife and Agrarian Services sectors.
Wildlife and Agrarian Services Development Minister S M Chandrasena, said that on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the guidance of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, infrastructure work of the proposed ‘wild elephants holding ground’ at Horowpothana would be completed while the removal of sediment in 2,000 small scale tanks in Anuradhapura district would be launched.
“There will be three wild elephant holding grounds at Horowpothana, Maduruoya and Weheragala. The Horowpothana holding ground consists of 3,000 acres of forest landscape. It has been planned to keep rouge and violent wild jumbos, stranded wild elephants and baby elephants in the holding ground protected by a reinforced fence.
Local and foreign tourists will be able to observe the movements of the wild elephants in the holding area, with necessary infrastructure including observation platforms,” Chandrasena said.
He said villagers residing in hamlets adjoining the holding ground, would be encouraged to grow food varieties, such as banana, pumpkin. Maize, paddy etc to feed the wild-elephants.
Referring to the small tank rehabilitation programme, Chandrasena emphasised that there were around 40,000 small tanks and anicuts that were being maintained under the Agrarian Services Development Department.
“The traditional practice had been to strengthen the tank bund and patchwork renovation of canal system. Some irrigation personnel had objected the deepening of the tanks having removed the layers of sediment deposited at the bottom saying that such an exercise would be disastrous and money wastage.
During January and February in the Anuradhapura district, all tanks were spilling due to heavy rain. But today, these tanks have gone dry.
In the light of this situation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had wanted these tanks cleared of sediment with head components such as the tank bunds reinforced and tank beds duly protected and conserved under 2012 Deyata Kirula Development Programme, the Minister indicated further.
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