A Sustainable Solution to Protect Agriculture and Promote Tourism in Sri Lanka

Although farmers have been explaining to the government for a long time about the animals that harm their crops, the government has failed to provide a proper remedy so far. This problem is becoming increasingly serious, and farmers strongly request the current government to save their crops from the monkey menace. While the government appears to be considering the farmers’ demands, they are evaluating which alternative measures would provide the most sustainable and scientific solution. Given this situation, this concept paper addresses the monkey problem in Sri Lanka, focusing on the Gampaha district. Many alternative proposals have been presented in this regard, and this concept paper aligns accordingly. The aim of this paper is to propose a win-win solution that contributes to the development of the country through the tourism industry while providing an immediate solution to the farmers’ problem. The paper proposes establishing a monkey park to manage the monkey population, protect agriculture, and generate revenue through tourism and allied activities. This initiative integrates wildlife management, community engagement, and sustainable economic strategies to deliver a comprehensive solution.