Protecting fauna and flora, our main concern - Wildlife DG

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Environment conservation is not merely preserving nature but protecting the fauna and flora to preserve a healthy, balanced atmosphere which is an invaluable asset to the country, said Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja in an interview with the Sunday Observer. The Wildlife Conservation Department covers 13 percent - 862,219 hectares of the country. This includes 21 national parks, 63 sanctuaries, five nature reserves, three strict nature reserves and one jungle corridor. "Our focus is on conservation and co-existence of all the fauna and flora. Though the human _elephant conflict is highlighted, there is invisible damage on other species of fauna and flora," he said. Here are excerpts from the interview.

Q: Can you explain the responsibilies of the Department of Wildlife Conservation?

A: The Department has come under a new ministry but its responsibilities remain the same. As Sri Lanka is a bio diversity hot-spot, the Department has a significant role to play in conserving it. It has wider responsibilities. One is that the country is a tourist attraction. A considerable part of the landforms is the forest cover which is around 13%. This is what protects the hydro-catchment areas. With the development activities going on across the country it is important to maintain a healthy environment.

Q: It was significant that the Government brought Wildlife Conservation Department under the Agrarian Services Ministry. How will this help the Department fulfil its objectives?

A: If we look at the past statistics, the Wild Life Department has spent more than 50% of its working time and budgeted funds to mitigate the Human-Elephant conflict. It is obvious that this problem exists mainly in agricultural areas. Nearly 70% of the people live in villages and their main livelihood is farming. This human-elephant conflict affects mainly the farming families which results in deaths, damage to crops and properties. We believe that Agrarian Services Department and Wildlife Conservation Department could work closely and effectively to bring sustainable solutions to the Human-Elephant conflict.

We were very concerned about the elephant deaths, as these animals play a major part in religious and cultural activities in the country. Sri Lanka is well-known as one of the best places to watch roaming elephants.

Q: Elephant deaths became back as a hot topic with the recent death of the Galgamuwa tusker. Few months ago it is believed that an action plan was presented to the Economic Development Minister. How fast will this be implemented and will there be any changes as the ministries changed?

A: On Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa's instructions we have started implementing this action plan and at present, we are under the purview of Minister S.M. Chandarsena. The action plan will not be changed simply because the ministries changed. Elephant deaths are very unfortunate and we are very much concerned about the tuskers as their numbers have decreased over time and as such it is important to preserve them. We take effective measures to protect elephants from poaching, shooting, poisoning and many other human activities. We analysed our past experiences and based on that we have drafted the action plan to improve the human-elephant co-existence.

Q: One of the effective methods to minimize damage to humans and elephants was the electric fence - which is tested over time. The action plan however suggests a change. Could you explain this?

A: Well, we are discussing with the Forest Department to change the positioning of the electric fence. Over the past 50 years, the mitigation of human-elephant conflict confined to restricting elephants only to protected areas under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Currently, over 70% of elephants live outside these areas. Annually, 50-60 people and over 200 elephants perish as a result of this conflict. Crop losses and property damage from rampaging elephants has become a major socio-economic issue in a larger part of the dry zone. Adult males trans-located by capture do not remain in protected areas where they are released. Some return to the capture site, some wander over the land in a confused state, some create havoc in surrounding areas and some settle outside the protected areas. Therefore, the elephant drives and capture-transport should be done in a more selective manner when it is really necessary.

It is estimated that over 50% of current electric fences are in between Forest Department and Wildlife Department forests. In many cases Wildlife Department protected areas are adjacent to Forest Department lands where there are elephants. The construction of electric fences in between Wild Life protected areas and Forest Department lands, where there are elephants on both sides does not serve any purpose. As a result elephants and humans remain unprotected. Consequently elephants in the Forest Department lands are prevented from entering Wildlife Department areas by electric fences.

They roam the developed areas leading to escalation of the conflict.

Q: Do you propose new changes?

A: The new approach is based on creating Elephant Conservation Areas and Managed Elephant Ranges as laid down in the National Policy for the Conservation and Management of Wild Elephants. It was formulated by the government in 2006 and later ratified by the Cabinet. These areas will mainly comprise Department of Wildlife Conservation-protected areas and forest areas belonging to the Forest Department. Other areas include State land with natural habitats such as archaeological reserves, tanks, rivers and canal reservations, and some private lands as well. The habitat conditions created and maintained by chena (slash and burn) cultivation is most favourable for elephants and contain high densities of elephants. Therefore, the Policy stresses that parts of Elephant Conservation Areas under chena cultivation be recognised as Managed Elephant Ranges. The recognition of areas as Elephant Conservation Areas or Managed Elephant Ranges will not have any bearing on land tenure and the ownership of such lands will remain unchanged.

Q: What are new steps taken to protect elephant population as well as affected villages?

A: We will implement the National Policy for the Conservation and Management of Wild Elephants formulated in 2006 which has not been implemented properly. We will introduce a new insurance scheme to adequately compensate for the damages to crops and property. We will improve the facilities for translocation of elephants with suitable vehicles and training the staff. We will also improve the standards of elephant holding grounds as well. We already have one in Lunugamwehera and initially we will start with improving its facilities. If necessary, we will consider establishing new holding grounds in other parts of the country as well.

Q: A tusker died recently while being transported to a protected area. What steps have been taken to find the actual reason for the tragedy?

A: We have already launched investigations. I'm confident that our staff is dedicated and they affectionately care for animals. Anyway, after I receive the full report of the investigation I will take necessary action to correct any shortcomings.

Q: Has the Wildlife Department confined only to Human-Elephant conflict mitigation?

A: No, not at all. Our focus is on the conservation and co-existence of all fauna and flora. Though the human-elephant conflict is highlighted there are invisible damages on other species of fauna and flora as well. Certain species come under the 'red list'. Animals going to be extinct, means the healthy human habitat is degrading! We are concentrating on improving the quality of habitats.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: The country is heading for a faster economic growth and as the Department of Wildlife Conservation we have a very clear policy to conserve our wildlife. Sri Lanka is well recognised as a place to observe wildlife especially the Asian elephants and leopards. Our country is rich in world heritage sites. Also the government has concentrated on developing tourism to increase its contribution to the national economy. We will improve facilities in our 21 parks. We know most of our parks were out of bound even for our own citizens during last 30 years. As a result these parks were neglected and therefore, we will improve our parks to accommodate local and foreign tourists. We need to do more research using our in-house expertise as well as coordinating with local and foreign experts. The Smithsonian Institute of USA has already expressed their willingness to cooperate with us. Most importantly we are concerned about those living in villages bordering wildlife sanctuaries and parks. They need to be made aware of the fact that those human deaths caused by animal attacks, are actually preventable. People need to know how to co-exist with the nature.

Q: There is marked increase in the number of visitors to parks. Some parks are over-visited. How is the Department going to cope with this?

A: By nature our fauna and flora is attractive and as a nation we are lucky to be gifted with a high bio-diversity. We have noticed that the number of visitors to our parks has almost doubled this year. It's steadily growing. Some parks are over-visited. Earlier, out of the total number of tourists to the country, only 9% visited wildlife locations, but it increased to 19% recently. We will increase it to 30% next year. We have opened Wilpattu and this will help to divert this increasing number. We will upgrade some of the sanctuaries to national park status. With the increased number of visitors there will be a need for more services, demand for food and tour-guides. This will be a new market to the people in the neighbourhood and it will improve their income and living standards. Foreigners visiting our parks and villages will get a better opportunity to experience our culture and understand our people and they will return to their countries carrying a good image of our country. Even now we have special programs to train villagers in industries that do not affect the wildlife.

Since the inception of the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1949 Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja holds the post as its 28th Director General. He also serves as a Director General in the Economic Development Ministry.

Dr. Pathiraja, during his term as the Chairman of National Livestock Development Board from 2006 to May, 2010 converted it to a profitable institute. He is a past pupil of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala and has done his higher studies at the University of Peradeniya and Medical Research Institute, Singapore.