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The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), security forces, Tour Guides, Conservationists and local leaders from the Bathurst Community, conducted an on-site assessment visit at the Tourism Development Area (TDA) surrounding Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Purpose of the visit was to define the boundaries of the Tourism Development Area (TDA) and to follow up on a previous assessment conducted on February 6, 2025, which resulted in the installation of warning signposts to deter land grabbers. Unfortunately, it was noted that these signposts had been uprooted by unknown individuals.
During the visit, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Tunis reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal land use within the 6,000-acre TDA, which includes the sanctuary.
She emphasized the significant investments made by the World Bank and the government to enhance the sanctuary as a premier tourist destination, including the development of an Innovation Center, amphitheater, children’s playground, and essential amenities like toilets and a first aid station.
Highlighting the difficulties in demarcating the TDA boundaries, Minister Tunis revealed that newly installed warning signs were removed within 24 hours, indicating strong resistance to protection efforts. She urged civil society organizations to campaign against ongoing destruction and to report violators to the Government.
Bala Amarasekaran, founder of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, expressed his distress over the encroachment. He highlighted the sanctuary’s importance as a cornerstone of conservation efforts and a key ecotourism attraction that benefits both wildlife and the local economy.
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, 2025 Year of Ecotourism is underway and will along with relevant agencies and community members, continue to implement protective measures. These include installing boundary markers, raising awareness about the economic and social benefits of ecotourism, enforcing regulations against illegal land use and increasing touristic activities within the TDA.
