Research Permissions

Guidelines & General Conditions for Research on Wildlife Resources Department of Wildlife Conservation

A permit is required to conduct any activity regulated by the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. As such research involving e.g. protected species or research conducted in protected areas requires a permit. While recognizing the importance of research to generate new knowledge and to develop appropriate management plans and activities, the DWC encourage biodiversity-related research. Research aimed at developing scientific management interventions to conservation challenges (such as recovering the populations of threatened species, controlling the spread of invasive species, and reducing human-elephant conflict) is especially encouraged. The importance of new findings related to wildlife science and the sustainable use of natural resources for national economic development is also recognized.

In general, the Department seeks to process research-permit applications within 06 weeks of receipt. In evaluating an application the previous research experience and accomplishments of the applicant/s are taken into account. Persons with limited previous experience or accomplishment in biodiversity research are encourage to apply in collaboration either with a scientist with such a background from a national university or state institution, or the DWC itself. Where necessary, in awarding a permit the Department may also requires that the research be conduced under the direct supervision of its staff. Any person aggrieved by the Department’s decision in relation to the issue of a permit may make an appeal to the Minister in terms of Section 56(2) of the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance.

Research Permit Application is available to download in the download section or you can use the online portal to submit your applicaiton.

1.0- Submission of Research Proposals.

1.1- The Principal Investigator (s) of the research project(s) must be working in or in collaboration with a recognized scientific institution & the proposal must be recommended by the head of the institution.

1.2- Foreign researchers should always submit the proposal through the head of their institute & collaborate with a local institute or the Research Division of DWC. Project proposal should be approved & endorsed by the head of the local collaborating institute.

1.3- All the research proposals submitted for approval should reach Director – DWC’s office at least two months ahead the date that project activities are proposed to be commenced. Proposals for long term intensive research proposals may take at least four (04) months for scrutiny.

1.4- Project proposal should accompany the duly completed format obtained from DWC which would enable the DWC to process the application for the approval. This should include information such as bio data of the researchers, details of the faunal & the floral specimens supposed to be collected & the work schedule.

1.5- Researcher/s involved in the research should convincingly demonstrate the evidence of competence to conduct research.

2. -Project Approval.

2.1- All the project proposals for long term, intensive studies will be referred to the Research Committee appointed by Director DWC, for scrutiny & recommendations for approval.

2.2- Approval will be granted on strict observation of legal provisions of the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance & other relevant legislation.

2.3- Applicants should provide for any further clarifications & should accept suggestions for alterations in the project proposal, in order to regularize the same before the approval is granted.

2.4- Prior approval should be taken for any changes in the project procedure or personnel involved in the research.

2.5- In the case of long term research proposals, initial approval for research proposals will be limited to a maximum period of one year from the date granted. Further extensions to the project period are subjected to the satisfactory review of the project activities.

2.6- Director DWC reserves the right to revoke the approval without prior notice at any stage of the research.

2.7- Number of research studies permitted at a time within sensitive areas (eg. Horton Plains NP) would be limited with the intension of minimizing the impact of environment.

3.0- Collection of Specimens and capture of live animals.

3.1- Collection of faunal & floral specimens from PA’s should be avoided unless it is extremely necessary.

3.2- Capture & collection of specimens of rare, endangered, threatened, status unknown or un described species should be restricted to less than 3 specimens. If more specimens are required special permission should be sort.

3.3- Standard capture methods should be used and every precaution should be taken to prevent any harm of injuries, when capture of live animals is necessary.

3.4- Records of the number and other information of the specimens collected should be maintained properly and forwarded to the department.

3.5- In the case of long term research proposals biannual return of specimens collected and animals captured together with progress reports should be furnished to the department.

3.6- Specimens to be exported for identification purposes should be declared to the department and necessary export permits be obtained, prior to such export.

4.0- Research Monitoring

4.1- Activities of the research project within PA’s should be carried out under the close collaboration with wildlife officers responsible for the management of respective PA’s.

4.2- Details of the research activities and other information such as names and identity of the persons involved, areas to be visited, number of specimens collected and animals captured should be notified to the PA authority.

4.3- Where appropriate, Director DWC will nominate wildlife officer to collaborate with the research DWC should be duly acknowledged in the reports published.

5.0- General conditions

5.1- Prior permission should be taken if any filming within PA’s is required.

5.2- Researchers should be willing to present the data and findings of the research to the DWC staff in the form of a lecture, when requested.

5.3-Two copies of the final report of the research and any audio visuals produced should be made available to the libraries of the Department.

5.4 – DWC is not responsible for any form of damage to any property of life, occurred during the study period or thereafter.

Conditions for Research

1. The project is subjected to the rules and regulations of the Fauna & Flora Protection Ordinance.

2. The detailed research proposal along with the Bio data of persons involved should be submitted to Department of Wildlife Conservation at least two weeks in advance.

3. The foreign researchers should collaborate with a local recognized institution.

4. The research proposal should be open for discussions and alterations.

5. Permission should be taken to conduct field activities during the night or erect temporary huts/ tents, enclosures etc.

6. This venture is only for the research & education and not for the any commercial purpose which include the prohibition of issuing tickets, permits or the charging of any fees for viewing of research site or animals etc.

7. Permission should be obtained for the import & export of the specimens if identification facilities are not available in Sri Lanka.

8. Dead specimens should be forwarded to the DWC before disposal.

9. The project should be available for supervision, inspection and monitoring for DWC officials at any time.

10. Live specimens cannot be killed for any purpose without the permission of the Director, DWC.

11. Maintenance of proper scientific data is requested.

12. A separate approval should be taken for the capture of the animals from the wild or else where.

13. The Director, DWC has the authority to nominate any officer for inspection of the project at any time without any notification.

14. Project procedure, project personnel or location cannot be changed without informing the Director, DWC.

15. For the first six months a brief progress report of the project should be submitted to the DWC monthly, after six months progress reports should be submitted every 3 months and an annual report of the project should be submitted to the DWC for the consideration of the extension of the above project.

16. A copy of the final report should be sent to the Library, Department of Wildlife Conservation.

17. The Department is not responsible for any kind of damage to property or life at any stage of the project.

18. This project should be carried out collaborations with the DWC.

19. Director/DWC has the right to revocation, alternation or cancellation of the authorization at any time without prior notice.

20. The initial duration of the project should be one year and after one year the Director/DWC upon receiving the progress reports will decide the extension of the project.

21. For filming a separate permission should be taken from the department.

22. DWC officers involved in the research should be co-authors of the publications if any.

23. Researcher should deliver the seminar/lecture on research project if request by the DWC.

24. DWC officers should be trained on field techniques/ identification/ Methodology etc. adopted by the researcher.

If the research includes collection of samples.

25. A list of already curate specimens for research purposes should be forwarded to the DWC.

26. Species already collected should not be collected again.

27. Not more than 3 specimens per species should be collected in case of unidentified species attempts should be taken to identify the specimen up to generic level and only 3 samples should be collected for this purpose.

28. Areas to be visited for the fieldwork should be notified to the Department at least two weeks ahead.

29. Sampling inside National Parks should be done under supervision of an officer nominated by the DWC.

30. An Assistant Director/ Park Warden or Ranger in charge should certify all collected specimens.

31. Permission should be renewed every three months if the research include collecting floral or faunal specimens.