(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – A group of naval personnel was deployed to Moragahakanda on Wednesday (8th Feb.) to launch a mission to rescue the animals that are facing life threats due to the filling of water to the Moragahakanda reservoir.
President Maithripala Sirisena in accordance with a request made by the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Gamini Jayawickreme Perera has ordered to launch this mission.
The water filling of the Morgahakanda reservoir of the Moragahakanda – Kaluganga project commenced on 11th January 2017 and a land of 29 square kilometers is covered by the reservoir. With the new development, 11 islands out of 12 in this area were drowned destroying the habitats of many mammals and reptiles. Earlier, the Wildlife Conservation Department according to a request made by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development launched a mission to rescue such threatened animals. This mission carried out by the naval personnel will be the second phase of it.
Presently, about 3,000 animals in Moragahakanda reservoir area have been displaced due to the situation. Missions to rescue animals and releasing them to the forest reserves are being done by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Department, and Sri Lanka Navy.