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| Sunday, 8 February 2004 |
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Wildlife awareness programmes for schoolchildren by Karel Roberts Ratnaweera The Wildlife Conservation Department will shortly begin a special Wildlife Awareness programme which will also be extended to schools in 'dangerous' areas in the Bundala, Hambantota and Uda Walawe districts, Wildlife Conservation Director Dayananda Kariawasam told the 'Sunday Observer that 200 wildlife 'villages' housing elephant and leopard had not been scientifically managed, as was originally envisaged, resulting in these animals straying from their man-made habitats and posing a grave threat to poor villagers living adjacent to the animal villages. Mr. Kariawasam said that the schoolchildren in the surrounding areas are fully aware of the dangers posed by animals that stray out of their compounds. This now means that what was begun some years ago to contain the animals to their domain will have to have a fresh start. Improving the habitat of these animal villages will mean that better supplies of water will draw deer to the compounds which in turn means that there will be fodder for leopard. Sri Lanka's leopard population is dwindling at an alarming rate as was disclosed at a press conference some months ago organised by a group of people interested in the increase of this feline species. It is revealed that large tracts of chena lands in Uda Walawe are reaping the paramount benefits of conservation with nothing going to the villagers at all. Affluent personalities in the illegal business of poaching continue to get away with their nefarious activities as a result of animal villages not being properly managed. Director Kariawasam said that education on conservation-oriented lines will bring in the visitors whose money will be ploughed back into the country. Meanwhile, there are moves by the Wildlife Department to promote changes for the benefit of schools bordering animal parks by the planting of sugarcane and paddy. |
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