• Environmentalists warn of disruption to wildlife behaviour, violation of laws, danger to wildlife
• Authorities can prosecute if caught in the act of harassing elephants, protected wildlife 
• DWC operating with 50% of required staff; difficult to monitor all areas 

Sri Lanka is home to 28 national parks, designated under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, offering scientific, educational, recreational, and aesthetic experiences for visitors. Parks such as Yala, Wilpattu, Horton Plains, and Udawalawe are among the most frequently visited, while others, like Maduru Oya and Gal Oya, serve critical roles in habitat protection and watershed conservation.

Visitors must obtain permits to enter these areas legally, but concerns have arisen over illegal safaris operating just outside park boundaries. While these tours take place beyond protected zones, environmentalists warn that they disrupt wildlife behaviour, violate conservation laws, and endanger wildlife.

DWC efforts 

According to Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Acting Director General Ranjan Marasinghe, these illegal safaris occur adjacent to the Bundala National Park rather than within its boundaries. However, he emphasised that if these operations involved harassing elephants or other protected wildlife, authorities had the legal grounds to prosecute offenders.

“This is not the first time we are prosecuting such individuals. A year ago, we took legal action against a jeep owner for harassing elephants near Habarana. However, we need to catch violators red-handed, as photographic evidence alone is insufficient to prove these cases in court,” he stated.

Despite resource constraints, Marasinghe has instructed his officers to conduct investigations and file cases where necessary. He further acknowledged that while similar incidents were rare in other national parks, reports suggested that some foreign individuals were habitually involved in these operations.

Public roads running alongside protected areas pose additional challenges. “For instance, the Habarana Road borders the Minneriya National Park on one side and a forest reserve on the other. Hotels can take tourists along these roads at night, which is not illegal unless they actively disturb wildlife,” he said. 

He also pointed to the Yala National Park road as another location where animals could be spotted at night, but noted that taking action was difficult unless harm was inflicted.

Legal violations and danger to wildlife 

Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Chairman Ravindranath Dabare highlighted that these safaris violated multiple environmental regulations. 

While many occur just outside national parks, they still fall within the legally designated one-mile buffer zone surrounding these protected areas. Any activity within this zone requires approval, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

“Night safaris operate without adhering to EIA laws, disturbing elephants and other large mammals,” he stated. “In some cases, authorised camps within national parks also contribute to this problem. Visitors may roam beyond permitted areas after consuming alcohol and cause disturbance to animals.”

Additionally, Dabare explained that disrupting wildlife behaviour had long-term consequences. “Many species, such as bears and tigers, are nocturnal. They rely on the night to hunt and find food. Bears and tigers can recognise areas where human activity is concentrated during the day.

“Wildlife possesses both memory and the ability to determine the most suitable times for hunting and foraging, adjusting their movements accordingly. When these safaris interfere with their natural activities, it weakens them over time and ultimately pushes them toward extinction,” he stressed.

Moreover, nighttime disturbances increase the risk of accidents, as both animals and drivers struggle to anticipate each other’s movements in the dark. 

‘Unequivocally illegal’

The recent unauthorised motorcycle tours near Bundala National Park have raised alarm regarding tourist safety, environmental preservation, and legal compliance. Environmental groups, particularly the CEJ, have repeatedly warned about these unregulated safaris, which continue to operate despite the lack of official permits.

CEJ Executive Director Hemantha Withanage stated: “We have written letters to the DWC over the past three months, to which it responded, but no effective action has been taken.”

Experts warn that riding motorcycles through wildlife habitats, especially at night, is particularly dangerous. Encounters with elephants and other nocturnal wildlife can lead to serious accidents for tourists, while human presence disrupts the natural behaviour of animals.

Withanage also noted that these illegal safaris contributed to biodiversity loss, as tourists may unknowingly damage habitats or disturb small creatures essential to the ecosystem. More alarmingly, the disturbances occur during the animals’ resting periods, affecting not just birds but also larger mammals.

“This is unequivocally illegal. No one is permitted to enter wildlife sanctuaries at night. Immediate action from authorities is essential,” he stressed.

Enforcement challenges 

Despite growing concerns, enforcement remains a challenge due to manpower shortages. Marasinghe admitted that the DWC was operating with only 50% of its approved staff, which limited their ability to monitor roads and border areas 24/7. However, he assured that action would be taken against offenders whenever possible.

“We do not have the personnel to constantly monitor all roads. This is one of the key challenges we are facing. With only half of the approved staff available, our resources are stretched thin. Nevertheless, we are committed to prosecuting offenders and legal action will be taken whenever possible,” Marasinghe said.

Dabare suggested involving the armed forces to support conservation efforts if manpower constraints persisted. While Marasinghe reaffirmed the DWC’s commitment to prosecuting violators, he acknowledged that legal action was only possible when solid evidence was obtained.

With illegal safaris continuing to threaten wildlife, conservationists and officials are urging stricter enforcement and better public awareness. According to Dabare, the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and the National Environmental Act provide legal frameworks to protect these animals, but effective implementation remains a key challenge.

He pointed out that while most of the incidents and issues, identified through research, occurred along the borders of national parks rather than within them, these activities still constituted offences and should not be permitted.

“Any disturbance to wildlife, whether inside or outside a national park, particularly protected species such as elephants and tigers, is prohibited under the law. These animals are safeguarded by the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and no disturbance should be caused to them.

“Any harm or disruption to their natural behaviour as well as any activity conducted within the buffer zone without proper authorisation constitute a legal violation. Two key laws are breached in such cases: the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and the EIA provisions of the National Environmental Act,” Dabare added.