• Submits proposals to Environment and Agri. Mins.; also suggests merging 15 line institutions for unified mechanism 

The Centre for Environment and Nature Studies (CENS) announced that it was to submit a report yesterday (9) to the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, proposing measures to address wildlife populations that damage crops. The report, which includes both short-term and long-term strategies, aims to address the growing wildlife challenge sustainably while minimising potential ecological risks.

CENS National Coordinator Ravindra Kariyawasam, emphasised the significance of the issue. “The population of toque macaques has increased in Sri Lanka. This is due to the decline of natural predators and reduced food availability in forests, which has driven these animals to seek food in agricultural areas. We propose establishing a unified mechanism by merging 15 institutions to manage toque macaque populations effectively.” 

Kariyawasam also discussed the need for innovative and research driven approaches, citing India’s experience in managing monkey populations in the States of Jammu and Kashmir, “In India, sterilisation efforts go beyond surgeries to include techniques such as mixing sterilisation drugs with food or using hormones. Some countries have even explored using viruses. In Sri Lanka, we need to introduce hormones through food in controlled quantities. However, this requires careful research to avoid risks, particularly to endemic species like the Macaca sinica sinica (dry zone toque macaque or common toque macaque) monkeys,” he explained.