Hakka Patas:

How poachers kill humans and animals

"Hakka Patas", an explosive-based hunting device which is used to kill wild animals, has claimed the life of a nine-year old boy from Hambegamuwa. A Grade Five student of Hambegamuwa Primary School, T.M. Tasindu Kaveesha sustained serious injuries when he accidentally bit a stick of explosives, Hakka Patas, and died at Hambegamuwa hospital.

According to Police, Tasindu, while playing with his brother, had found a plastic bag hidden in a tree and tried to open the bag using his teeth, and it had exploded. Since Police investigations are under way, they are yet to identify the culprit.

Protecting crops

OIC Hambegamuwa Police, speaking to the Sunday Observer said, another incident was reported two weeks before, where a dog was killed as a result of coming into contract with Hakka Patas in the same vicinity. The explosive, Hakka Patas is used by hunters and also farmers, to protect their crops from wild animals. The explosive is hidden in a vegetable, often a cucumber or a pumpkin. As soon as the animal eats it, it explodes in its mouth.

Environmentalist Supun Lahiru Prakash of the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle (BCRC) says, the explosive is normally used to hunt wild boar, but in some areas they use it to kill elephants as well.

"When an animal consumes Hakka Patas, it does not die instantly, but suffers a great deal. It explodes in the mouth, and the animal is not able to eat and ultimately dies a tragic death," he said.

Although the people are being advised constantly by the authorities not to use it as it is prohibited by law, people tend to use it, especially, to kill wild animals for meat. Explaining that no clear action has been taken by the authorities, Prakash said, "This issue concerns game meat, may be that is why there is reluctance to take action, on the part of some highly placed officials," he added.

Prakash believes that taking legal action against the culprits and conducting awareness programs are the best options which should be adopted by the authorities, to prevent such unfortunate incidents taking place in the future.

"The Police and the wildlife authorities should take stern action against wrongdoers," he said. Senior Environmental Lawyer Jagath Gunawardena elaborating on the legal aspect of the use of Hakka Patas to kill wild animals said: "It is a practice expressly prohibited by the law, both under The Fauna and Flora Ordinance and the, Explosives Act, especially, with regard to elephants. It should also be mentioned that it is a non bailable offence," he said.

Harming elephants

Most recent victim, nine-year-old Tasindu

He says, Section 12 of The Fauna and Flora Ordinance states, harming or injuring an elephant in any manner is prohibited. Accordingly, quoting the relevant sections:

"Section 12 (1) Save as in hereinafter provided, no person shall, in any area outside a National Reserve or a Sanctuary, hunt, shoot, kill, injure or take any tusker or elephant ; during the close season, hunt,shoot ,kill, or take any deer or fowl ; or ..."

Sections 53, 53A and 53B of the Act provides that,

Section 53: No one can use explosive substance to kill or injure an animal. It is also an offence in two ways under the Ordinance.

Section 53A: No person shall use any poison, explosive or stupefying substance for the purpose of poisoning, killing or stupefying any animal, reptile or bird

Transporting animal flesh

Section 53B: No person shall have in his possession, sell, expose for sale or transport the flesh of any animal, reptile or bird which has been killed or taken by the use of any poison, explosive or stupefying substance.

Gunawardena further explaining about the provisions under the Explosives Act said, "the Explosives Act says any explosive used for unauthorized practice is an offence. People are not permitted to make these types of explosive devices.

The Police can make a summary arrest of a person in possession of Hakka Patas even if it is not intended to kill wild animals," he said.

He says, this practice started quite recently. It is mostly prevalent in areas such as the North Western Province, Northern Province and some parts of the Southern province.

Gunawardena is of the view that the use of Hakka Patas is widespread, and that the authorities should have a proactive approach to tackle it. "A network of informants to see whether people are using it, will be useful. Also, they should not wait until an animal gets hurt," he added.

Noting that the Wildlife Department has a severe shortage of personnel, he suggests that they could use the help of Forest Department and the Police to tackle the issue.

"Clearly, there are practical difficulties. Police can take action if there are tip-offs to go and apprehend culprits who are in possession of these devices. However, one should also remember that it is a difficult task for one department to tackle," he said.