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| Sunday, 11 September 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Project to upgrade Zoo, Elephant Orphanage
Now there are plans to further develop and upgrade these two fascinating places, so that they will attract more tourists and bring in more income. The project will be carried out under the instructions of the Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie. Accordingly, elephants, leopards, deer and sambur will get their own enclosures as close to their natural habitats as possible, where they will be allowed to roam freely. A walk-in aviary has been planned for birds brought to the zoo from foreign countries. The Zoological Gardens, which was launched in 1920, currently accommodates about 3,500 different species of animals and birds. The development programme will also see the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage being developed as the world's first Conservation and Breeding Centre for elephants. The breeding programme currently being conducted at the orphanage, has already reported the successful birth of 24 baby elephants. Work has begun in the construction of a natural tank in a coconut estate, so that the elephants could spend time in water. Work has also begun on providing natural habitats with large shady trees. Large open shelters have already been constructed, while work on a fully equipped elephant hospital is going ahead. There will be a separate enclosure built at a higher elevation for visitors so that they can watch the elephants without disturbing them. Visitors will get enhanced facilities such as an information centre, recreation and toilet facilities, a new entrance to the complex and ticketing booths. ############## More protection for prominent water bodies
Accordingly, the Madu Ganga; the Bentota River and Bentota Estuary; the Koggala Lagoon and all the islands which fall within these water bodies; Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya; and Waturana Swamp Forest also known as the Waturana Marsh have been declared as Environmental Protected Areas. Minister Fowzie has sought Cabinet approval to declare these water bodies as protected areas, considering the threat of pollution that rivers and lagoons face due to being exploited for commercial purposes. The authorities have been informed that large scale uncontrolled exploitation of these river banks and rivers are taking place, and if not controlled, could result in these vital water bodies being polluted. Hence, the measures to protect these water bodies. Felling of trees on the river banks, soil erosion, contamination of water due to affluent waste and sand mining are some of the activities which are currently taking place and which could degrade the condition of the water. |
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| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Most of you would surely have visited the National Zoological Gardens
at Dehiwela and the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela. The hundreds of
different animals in these places would surely have captivated you, and
made you want to go there again and again. 
Several more prominent water bodies such as rivers, lakes and lagoons
will be declared as Environmental Protected Areas by the Ministry of
Environment and Natural Resources and the Central Environmental Authority.
The initiative has been made by Environment and Natural Resources Minister
A.H.M. Fowzie. 
