The Department of Wildlife Conservation has introduced a new mud pond construction initiative to address severe water shortages affecting animals across the country's national parks during the dry season.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has rolled out an innovative project designed to create mud ponds across the country's national parks, aimed at tackling critical water shortages affecting wildlife during dry periods. The initiative, which is being overseen by Professor Rangika Halwatura of the University of Moratuwa, employs new construction techniques that allow ponds to be built quickly and economically. This approach represents a significant shift in how authorities are addressing the recurring problem of water scarcity in protected areas.

Preliminary work on the project has already proven successful, with mud ponds completed in three major national parks: Wilpattu, Yala, and Horowpathana. These locations, which have been particularly hard-hit by dry weather conditions, now have access to the newly constructed water facilities. The department anticipates that this model can be expanded across other protected areas facing similar challenges.

Beyond the mud pond initiative, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is employing multiple strategies to ensure animal survival during water shortages. The department has deployed 25 solar-powered water pumps across various locations to provide consistent water supply. Additionally, water bowsers are being mobilized to serve national parks experiencing severe drought conditions, including Yala, Wilpattu, Bundala, Kumana, Maduru Oya, Kaudulla, and the Horowpathana National Elephant Holding Grounds. This multi-pronged approach underscores the growing urgency of the wildlife water crisis in Sri Lanka's protected areas.