The Government is focusing on the further expansion of the Knuckles auxiliary forests, GAPEC Sri Lanka Director Gamini Jayatissa said.
He said the decision was taken due to deforestation of thousands of acres during the construction of the Moragahakanda/Kaluganga Reservoirs and villages under these reservoirs, which has lead to loss of water resources and caused environmental problems.
Jayatissa says said that with the exposure of the Amban Ganga as the water catchment area forest of the Moragahakanda Reservoir, it has been proposed to expand the Knuckles auxiliary forest area with the aim of preventing environmental problems due to the loss of water sources and loss of forest cover.
“Due to deforestation, wildlife, including wild elephants are invading villages,” he said.
The closure of elephant corridors and the loss of food sources in forests have affected wild elephants causing a major threat to villagers.
Jayatissa says that the re-creation of wildlife habitats due to the expansion of the Knuckles forest enclosure will help alleviate the wildlife menace.