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Sri Lanka, an island nation south of India, has approved a special joint operation involving its three armed forces and the wildlife conservation department to protect wild elephants and tuskers, local media reported on Saturday.
The program also aims to address human-elephant conflict, according to local news site News Wire.
Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi chaired a meeting earlier this week to discuss the initiative.
Army commander Lt. Gen. K. V. Nilantha P. Premaratne, wildlife officials, and representatives from drone operations also attended.
Under the program, the army will establish a special operations center at army headquarters to coordinate elephant protection activities.
Authorities also decided to introduce special security arrangements for identified tuskers roaming high-risk areas.
The military will deploy dedicated units to monitor the animals’ movements and provide protection in vulnerable locations, particularly where elephants face threats from illegal activities.
The program will also focus on preventing elephant killings, the use of explosive bait locally known as “hakka patas,” and other wildlife crimes. The wildlife department will train designated military personnel to handle wild animals and conduct field operations.
The Environment Ministry said the joint program would be implemented on the ground “as soon as possible."
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