Colombo, March 7 -- Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody said the assessment scheduled for 15 March is not a wildlife census but merely a simple survey, claiming that it is inappropriate to ridicule this effort.

He explained that the survey is being conducted solely to gather some preliminary data in an area where no prior data is available.

The Deputy Minister made these remarks during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Environment held at the Parliament Complex under the Chairmanship of Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi.

During the discussions, Members of Parliament presented concerns to the Committee regarding conflicts arising due to animals that cause crop damage, including elephants, monkeys, gr...