Sri Lanka conducts first-ever census of animals harmful to agriculture

COLOMBO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka conducted its first-ever census of animals considered harmful to agriculture on Saturday, said an official.

Farmers were instructed to count only peacocks, grizzled giant squirrels, toque macaques, and gray langurs during the survey, Tharaka Prasad, director of wildlife health at the Department of Wildlife Conservation, told the media.

The survey focused on land surrounding homes and agricultural areas, documenting the specified animals observed within the brief timeframe, said Prasad, adding that the date, timing, and target species were selected by a panel of experts.

The census employed the point survey method, which collects population data at a specific moment by gathering observations from individuals or households, said Prasad.

Meanwhile, GVV Shamini, additional director for development at the Department of Agriculture, told reporters on Saturday that approximately 40,000 state officials were deployed across the country's 14,200 administrative units to conduct the survey.

Agriculture officials estimate that these animals cause significant crop damage, particularly in coconut plantations. However, there is currently no reliable estimate of their populations. ■