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| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
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Wildlife officers stuck with obsolete guns by Shanika Sriyananda Liyanage A large stock of modern weapons imported for the protection of wildlife officers is gathering dust at the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) because the Department has been lethargic in processing the necessary papers. Wildlife officers of the Yala and Uda Walawe National Parks warned that the delay in distributing the modern weapons may prove fatal for them and many more officials might end up sacrificing lives for want of better protection. Illegal activities in National Parks have been on the increase and more dangerous, with those involved in the activities having access to efficient and hi-tech weapons to defend themselves. Wildlife officers claimed that at present they have neither the weapons or the training to tackle those engaged in illegal activities, and warned that their lives were under threat, as those who engage in illegal business are armed with modern weapons. The officers also alleged that they were not provided with to combat snake venom or, first aid kits for emergency situations. They also claimed that firearms training given to them by the Department was of no help in fighting poachers, who are equipped with sophisticated weapons. According to wildlife sources, mass scale ganja cultivations, tree felling, gem mining and animal hunting for meat are rampant in most of the national parks, very often in connivance with politicians, police officers and some of the DWLC officers. " But we are helpless", they said. Meanwhile, a high ranking official of the DWLC confirmed that the stock of modern weapons were lying in department stores, but he assured that 'it would be distributed among the wildlife officers soon'. He said that these weapons were not distributed among the officers as they have not been licensed. " We know that those who are in protection duty in National parks need to be armed with modern weapons. Once we get the licence for these arms, they will be distributed among them", he pointed out. Denying allegations of lack of training the official said three training programs-on wildlife conservation and management were conducted annually for wildlife rangers and guards. |
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