Stop this exploitation

Give at least some part of the forests back to the animals

By Arun Tampoe

There was a time, when the Parks as they were then called were Yala and Wilpattu with a number of intermediate zones and strict natural reserves to which visitors were granted admission only under special licence. But the more adventurous enthusiasts would venture even into the jungles outside the 'reserves' without any hindrance and amuse themselves in any way they chose. (I use the terms 'Park', 'Reserve' etc interchangeably as the lapses described below are applicable to all categories.)

At that stage of 'protection' it would seem that the animals were given priority in the 'Parks' while humans were content to carry on their business (agriculture or other) in the rest of the country.

At least that is how the situation appeared to me and to many others who had an interest in the jungles and forests; the fauna and the flora. In 1956, according to one assessment, the dense forest cover was 2.9 million hectares or 44% of the land area.

What have we got today? Approximately 22% of our land area is under forest cover. Not a very encouraging figure, by any standard! Looked at another way i.e. in terms of 'protection', only 12% of the country's land area is 'protected'.

By 'protection' one infers that some form of restriction is placed on the use and enjoyment by the public of such areas. I am told that no land has been delisted in recent years though insidious incursions into 'protected' lands continue in some form or the other for financial gain.

In fact, judging by reports in the media and at first hand, there is often no pretence at evasion. The abuse is quite openly done. In what way the Forest Department and the Wildlife Conservation Department collaborate (if they do have any such collaboration) is not widely known. But the denudation of the forests continues apace and the decimation of fauna is unchecked.

In addition to this type of deliberate and cynical destruction of the forests and their natural inhabitants, there is another but innocent agent of destruction. This is the casual visitor whose sins are more of omission than of commission. A lack of understanding rather than a wanton desire to cause damage to the environment.

After a lapse of many years I ventured into one such Park. I use the term in the broadest sense as a layman would. There are now many more such, than in the days of my youth. My choice was Wasgomuwa. It is really designated, (I later found) a Strict Natural Reserve. To call it a Reserve or Park is a misnomer. It is no more a Park than is Victoria or (Vihara Maha- Devi). The term 'Reserve' in its everyday sense implies that it is an area to which access is controlled.

Whoever exercises the right to permit access must not only stipulate conditions of entry but also supervise the entrants so as to ensure that no violations take place. The evidence points in the other direction. Commercial interests in the guise of Special Interest Tours are exploiting these 'Parks' for all they are worth.

Uncontrolled invasions by lorry and bus-loads of screaming day - trippers hell bent on self-gratification are an everyday feature. All one has to do is to pay a nominal fee and the whole place is at your mercy.

The party of which I was a member encamped by the Mahaweli not far from the main Administrative Office of the Reserve. The river was almost dry and thus ideal for bathing. Hundreds of visitors, both local and foreign, were drawn to the riverbed and the banks provided an ideal location for riotous picnics. I did see four deer trying to get a quick drink at the river but they beat a hasty retreat against pursuing game lovers. Apart from keeping a wary eye open for any game that may venture into view, the visitors would after a refreshing bath leave an assortment of litter without a thought for the animals or visitors who came after them.

The point is that the whole official concept of conservation seems to have changed. The parks and reserves are now seen as places to which pleasure bent citizens can resort for their own amusement, not so much to see animals in their environment and on their terms.

Visitors are expected to have access without harming or causing the animals any distress. The way they behave however, is quite the reverse. The priority seems to be to have as jolly a time as possible with the animals thrown in for good measure.

The code of conduct in the 'old days' was that visitors (much fewer in number) respected the rights of the fauna. They traversed quietly along the beaten track and kept their conversations down to whispers. One never heard of tourist coaches or large vehicles full of merrymakers in full throat!

Now Colombo society has only to hear that elephants are sighted at Minneriya or Giritale to leap into their Pajeros with loads of food and drink and charge down to some convenient hotel in the area. From then on it is a battle of wits between man and beast.

The former ensconced in powerful vehicles and bursting with energy; the latter handicapped by lack of cover and semi-starved into exposing themselves by sheer need for survival. So, the water holes are a good rendezvous for sightseers and the river beds are even better.

Is there no way in which our people can satisfy their desire for a 'jungle experience' than by invading the parks at times of drought and disturbing the animals? These are times when the lack of food and the scarcity of water oppress the animals. It is then that they come out of the cover in which they would normally hide.

We have to face the basic question whether this country can afford to let the parks degenerate further. Are they to be real sanctuaries with stringent controls of entry or a facility that can be destroyed by human agency in the guise of an interest in fauna and flora? Is it practical, given the pressure of population to enforce the law not only in the spirit but also to the letter? Do we give at least some part of the forests back to the animals and think of other options to satisfy our curiosity about animals and their ways?

To judge by the latest design of "park bungalow" at Wasgomuwa, the Department seems inclined to the negative view. The bungalow is no less than a Colombo style house with all "mod cons". Why in heaven's name any visitor in search of the charm of the forest needs Colombo comforts in the wilds, I cannot imagine. He would do better watching the Discovery Channel in the comfort of his armchair at home!!

Another disturbing factor is the reduction of the traditional haunts of wildlife, particularly elephant, to allow the development of agricultural smallholdings or large-scale commercial agroindustries.

Both the uncontrolled entry of sightseers into game parks and the exploitation of the traditional homelands of the larger fauna seem a continuing problem of management for the State. How much high-flown rhetoric has been aired at seminar after seminar about the need for conservation when in the same breath the authorities turn a blind eye to commercial exploitation of not only the jungles but also the so called parks.

Elephants are fast dwindling in number and are now seen as a threat not only to the farmer but also to big business! Are the people of this country so insensitive to their best interests that they will sit idly by and watch their heritage perish?

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