The Sri Lanka Parliamentary Forum on Climate has decided to prioritise issues affecting elephants and leopards as part of its efforts to address the impact of climate change on wildlife.
The decision was highlighted during a recent discussion held in Parliament on minimising the adverse effects of climate change on elephants and leopards in Sri Lanka.
The meeting was attended by the forum’s co-chairmen, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Professor L.M. Abeywickrama.
During the discussion, special attention was given to the impact of El Niño and La Niña climate conditions on the behaviour and habitats of elephants and leopards.
Officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation briefed participants on the challenges faced by wildlife due to changing climate patterns and environmental pressures.
Addressing the meeting, Sajith Premadasa said the forum plans to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of climate change on wildlife, particularly elephants and leopards, and submit recommendations to relevant authorities in the future.
Climate experts and environmentalists also shared proposals on wildlife conservation, climate adaptation strategies, and measures to minimise human-elephant conflict.
Several wildlife protection issues and long-term conservation strategies were discussed during the meeting attended by MPs Ajith P. Perera, Champika Hettiarachchi, Riaz Farooq and Chandima Hettiarachchi.
