All geared-up to conduct first-ever animal census

The relevant form is saved in page one folder

Everyone’s support is crucial  

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

All arrangements have been made to conduct the first-ever animal census of crop-damaging animals tomorrow (15).   

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Director of Wildlife Health Dr. Tharaka Prasad said that all government officials, including Grama Niladharis, will assist in the process.   

“Landowners have been asked to report the number of animals on their properties to the relevant officers. According to a form distributed for this purpose, five minutes have been provided for farmers to count such animals on their properties.   

“Farmers will be given exactly five minutes, from 8:00 am to 8:05 am, to count animals like giant squirrels, peacocks, macaques, and monkeys on their properties. The information will help the government understand which animals are damaging crops and how many there are,” he explained.   

Dr. Prasad also mentioned that a pre-test was done in the Ingiriya area, and the feedback from farmers was positive. The Ministry hopes that farmers and villagers will cooperate to make the census a success.   

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation revealed that Rs. 2.4 million was spent on printing documents for this census.   

“Each census paper costs around 30 cents, and about 7 million documents have been printed by the Government Printing Department,” the ministry added.