Wildlife Officers stop unauthorized construction in Yala Buffer Zone Wildlife Officers stop unauthorized construction in Yala Buffer Zone Written by Share: Colombo (News 1st); A highly sensitive ecosystem in the Yala National Park Buffer Zone has come under threat due to illegal construction. An unauthorized construction has come-up obstructing the animal path leading to the ‘Gerimas Pokuna’ waterhole located 12 kilometers away from the Palatupana Gate of the Yala National Park. This waterhole is famous among parkgoers as a location most frequented by leopards and bears. When News 1st visited the site it was evident heavy machines were being used for the construction.