Nature lovers are perturbed that the beauty of the Tabbowa sanctuary is being allowed to lose its glamour due to the harm that is being done there.
With their high-tech machines and saws, timber dealers cut down valuable trees that have stood there for more than 350 years. They are also destroying the area’s natural beauty.
Our ancestors had recourse to the Aiynayake and other Gods and prayed that the natural fauna be preserved, but sadly, it is a different story altogether today.
It has become a happy hunting ground for illegal timber thieves who do not care for any God, let alone nature.
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| The Tabbowa sanctuary has become a happy hunting ground
for illegal timber dealers |
The Tabbowa sanctuary covers Karuwalagaswewa and Navagaththegama regions in the Puttalam district, running up to the Kalpitiya Galgamuwa region.
It was declared a sanctuary on July 19, 2002, by virtue of its excellent climatic features. It has a rainfall of 1,198 mm per year and the temperature averages around 31.5 celsius.
Humidity is around 75 per cent during day 93 per cent at night.
The area was declared a sanctuary in terms of the flaura and fauna act.
It has elephants, peacocks, deer and other rare species but the ongoing destruction has forced them out of their natural habitats.
It is also believed that the dealers enjoy the support of politicians, police and security personnel.
New roads have surfaced as vehicles transporting illegally felled timber use various routes.
The illegal loggers put up tents and live in the area for weeks to carry on their operations.
They also hunt the deer and destroy valuable trees such as Palu and Kaluwara.
In addition, illegal sand mining is also resorted to and large pits dot the area.
Recently, wildlife officials and the navy based at the Eluwanulama camp rounded up a group of men who had put up tents to step up their illegal logging activities.
It is reported that the suspects, who had cut down about 30 Palu trees, were from the Anthonymaduwa Eluwankulama area
It is surprising that the men at the Grama Arakshaka post in Puliyankulama and the Vanathavillu police are unable to halt such illegal transport operations.
Though the area is supposed to be rich in biodiversity and environmental rarities, nothing of the kind is now found in the reserve. And, sadly, it remains the happy hunting ground of irresponsible nature killers.
The blame is laid before the wildlife officials. |
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