El Niño Threatens Sri Lanka's National Parks Amid Encroachment Concerns
Sri Lanka's national parks, which constitute approximately 14% of the country's land area, are facing heightened threats due to the impending El Niño and ongoing human encroachment. These parks, home to species such as leopards and elephants, are critical to the island's biodiversity.
According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka's protected areas include 26 national parks and several nature reserves and sanctuaries, covering around 9,000 square kilometers. However, discrepancies in data from various sources highlight the challenges in managing these areas. The UNEP-WCMC reports that 28% of Sri Lanka's territory is protected, while a 2016 government report suggests this figure could be as high as 35%, including private lands.
El Niño events, characterized by droughts and altered rainfall patterns, pose significant risks to these ecosystems. The changes threaten the habitat integrity of national parks, compounding the pressures from human activities such as land encroachment and resource extraction.