The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) said that they have noticed a significant drop in the illegal acquisition of lands in national parks for various purposes such as illicit cultivations.

In the wake of various allegations being levelled regarding the lack of involvement of the relevant authorities to address the issues related to illicit activities carried out in national parks, the DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara yesterday (26) told The Daily Morning that the DWC is taking every possible measure to prevent such activities within the given legal space. He also noted that there is no hike in reported illicit activities in national parks as highlighted by the media and other organisations. Speaking further, he stated that in comparison to the recent past, illicit activities such as the illegal acquisition of lands and illicit cultivations have rarely been reported. “Matters such as the illegal acquisition of lands, either for businesses or illegal purposes, have notably decreased. Such cases are rarely reported. Even in such incidents, we take legal action against the parties involved in the particular activity,” he said. However, he also said that other illicit activities, such as hunting and poaching, are reported as usual, but that the required actions are being taken against such activities as well. He further noted that DWC officers and other law enforcement authorities have been deployed to protect national assets, and that accordingly, action will be taken against the parties who engage in the aforementioned illicit activities in national parks.