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| Sunday, 3 November 2002 |
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Reconsider proposal to re-open former elephant corridor - EFL to Wildlife Department by Shanika Sriyananda Liyanage The Environmental Foundation Ltd (EFL) has requested the Department of Wild Life Conservation (DWLC) to reconsider its proposal, to re-open the former elephant corridor forwarded by the researchers and other concerned parties of elephant conservation to acquire the forest area now owned by a private enterprise in Pelwatte in a bid to conserve the Handapanagala elephants. This request was made after two baby elephants went missing a few hours after they were born, during the illegal elephant drive allegedly carried out by the Pelwatte Sugar Company Ltd which commenced at Wellawaya and held from October 23 to October 28. According to informed sources there were nine pregnant elephants in the herd, which were driven to Yala National Park from Hadapanagala. The EFL also requests the DWLC to stop such ad hoc elephant drives in future and to hold an impartial inquiry into the incident. Hemantha Witanage, Executive Director of the EFL, said that according to informed sources this was not the first time that such an illegal drive took place, but had become an annual event of the alleged private enterprise to protect their sugar cultivation. "The ad hoc elephant drive was carried out without any consideration for the elephant population of the area, including pregnant and baby elephants in the herd. Such a drive should be carried out under the supervision of an experienced veterinary surgeon of the DWLC. But, according to the DWLC regional office, Moneragala, a veterinary surgeon from the company participated in the drive and it is illegal", he pointed out. Witanage said that it was unethical and unlawful for the DWLC wildlife officials to participate in elephant drives carried out by the private sector. "The company employed those DWLC officers who had experience in elephant drives, in the illegal drive held at Pelwatta. According to Witanage, a doubt is now looming whether the two baby elephants are alive or dead since the villagers say that they have not seen them after the drive. "The villagers confirmed that the babies have died but investigations have to be carried out to find out the truth", he added."This is not the first time that the Company Ltd did harm to the Handapanagala elephants. A tusker had been killed at Base Road, Pelwatta last month and the pair of tusks removed. The carcase was burnt but no one complained or took action against them. There are so many NGOs which speak volumes about the conservation of the country's elephant population but no one came out with the issue", he added. Witanage charged the Southern Region Deputy Director of the DWLC with permitting the illegal elephant drive to be held. "He was aware that the DWLC officials were participating in the event and supported them. He should take the full responsibility for the damage". He requested the DWLC Director to take action against the SRDD. According to Witanage, the solution to this elephant vs Pelwatta sugar corporation conflict is to re-open the former elephant corridor, which now belongs to the corporation. " This land area is unproductive and it can be easily released for the elephant corridor. This is the single forest patch for the elephants in the entire Moneragala district", Witanage pointed out. He also said that few years ago the researchers had come up with this proposal which was forwarded to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the then DWLC Director but nothing came of it. Meanwhile, DWLC Director Dayananda Kariyawasam has already appointed a high ranking wildlife officer to submit a report on the issue. Under his directives the ad hoc drive has now been stopped. H. M. B. C. Herath, Acting Director and the Additional Director, told the 'Sunday Observer' that the Department intends to ensure the safety of these elephants and would not allow any one to act in such an irresponsible manner in future. He also said that the Department would take stern action against the wildlife officers who participated in the illegal drive. Herath agreed that the first elephant drive, held in 1996 and costing Rs. 78 million, was unsuccessful and the herd returned to Handapanagala due to scarcity of food and water. "To get the best results, a well planned methods has to be implemented after a thorough study", he added. However, he said that the Department would look into the possibilities of re-opening the former elephant corridor. Meanwhile, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Rukman Senanayake appointed Assistant Director of DWLC to investigate into this illegal elephant drive and asked to submit a full report on the issue. |
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