Better wildlife park management

The Wildlife Department has reportedly rejected requests to add more safari jeeps to the Yala National Park fleet, citing threats to wildlife due to overcrowding.

Around 500 jeeps are allowed into the park and operators have requested permission to include 175 additional vehicles. Wildlife authorities say the park has already exceeded its sustainable capacity and have denied the request.

This is the bitter truth. There are already too many jeeps inside Yala causing havoc, disturbing animals and making the entire safari experience an unpleasant one.

Sri Lanka is blessed with the best that nature can bestow on a land. From the climatic conditions to the unique fauna and flora, to the beautiful beaches, there is more than enough to satisfy the most discerning of visitors.

The latest statistics from Sri Lanka Tourism shows that the country welcomed its two millionth visitor for 2025 this week. It is welcome news that so many foreigners are eager to visit the island, but the country is facing a situation of over-tourism, where the authorities are eager to showcase impressive numbers but do little to make tourism sustainable.

Take India for example, where a number of tiger parks are run in the most impressive manner. Strict regulations are in place to ensure minimal disruption to natural habitats, safeguarding the vulnerable tiger population. The number of vehicles entering parks are limited to ensure there is no overcrowding and that when an animal is sighted, they are not harassed like it happens here at Yala or some of the other popular parks in the country. Distances are mentioned between the safari jeeps in the tiger reservations and sound is kept to a minimum so that the animal is not disturbed.

Take the case of Yala in comparison. When a leopard or a bear is sighted, the jeep drivers contact each other on their mobile phones, which results in all the vehicles in the vicinity rushing to the same spot frightening the animal away. There is speeding, reckless driving to get to an animal, which also pose serious dangers to the tourists. Generally, there seems to be a lack of knowledge about the need to protect animals and the environment in general.

This is the case in parks such as Minneriya during the season, where there are large elephant gatherings. There have been several instances, where the harassed animals have attacked the jeeps and there have been some deaths as well with drivers venturing far too close to the animals and disturbing them.

In India there is a National Tiger Conservation Authority, which ensures that this endangered species is protected and that their numbers increase. In Sri Lanka, the Wildlife Department and the few other allied Government bodies are underfunded and lack the necessary personnel to manage the parks and sanctuaries.

The world has come a long way from the time that animals were caged and kept for the pleasure of humans. There are still zoos in many countries, but there is more awareness that keeping animals in such conditions is cruel and demeaning. Instead, animals are allowed to live in their habitat as much as possible.

While Government authorities are driven by the need to increase revenue, they need to take measures to stop the harassment of animals.  Wildlife parks are maintained to ensure the well-being of animals and not for the viewing pleasure of humans. Hence, when people are allowed to visit such parks, there should be strict rules and guidelines. The ad hoc manner in which parks such as Yala operate at present must stop.