Sri Lanka's wildlife parks face dual threat of overcrowding and neglect, audit reveals

» WHILE PARKS SUCH AS YALA ARE OVERWHELMED, THE NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE’S REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANT INACTION AND NEGLECT IN DEVELOPING OTHER SITES » KEY ISSUES INCLUDE ASEVERE HUMAN RESOURCE CRISIS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

- By NISHEL FERNANDO

Sri Lanka’s lucrative wildlife tourism sector, a cornerstone of its economic recovery, is facing a critical challenge of imbalance.

Blockbuster national parks such as Yala are straining under the pressure of over-visitation, while other parks with immense potential are hampered by lack of basic facilities, according to a review by the National Audit Office in the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s (DWC) 2024 Performance Report.

This disparity not only threatens the delicate ecosystems of popular parks but also represents a significant missed opportunity for broader, more sustainable tourism growth across the island.