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| Sunday, 21 April 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Horton Plains : Nature's pristine glory by Vimukthi Fernando
Horton Plains is one of the pristine watersheds in Sri Lanka where three out of four major rivers - namely, Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe spring up. It is a very important location for bio-diversity holding four eco-systems; the primary evergreen mixed forest (which is fast becoming a rarity in Sri Lanka), wet grasslands, marshes and riverine habitats. Acres of grassland dotted with islands of short and sturdy trees, epiphytes such as 'Old-man's beard' moist with droplets of water, herds of sambur grazing leisurely and brooks of crystal clear water are common sites which give you that heavenly feeling of becoming one with nature.
About two years ago, visitors to Horton Plains, witnessed many a sad sight. The Park was littered with polythene cast off by uncaring visitors. Sambur who were used to eating leftovers thrown out by visitors were dying due to polythene lining their stomachs and blocking the passage of food. It was a haven for crows, thriving on garbage. Afflicted with illegal gem mining, poaching and forest fires it was also a place which suffered the superiority of certain influential VIPs, who chose the location to frolic breaking down barricades and barking orders at the helpless officials frozen in tattered raincoats. A resource without a doubt should be preserved for posterity. But this resource posed the question "Would Horton Plains be there tomorrow?" After two years, the situation has changed - for the better, of course. Thanks mainly to the relevant authorities who have taken correct steps to conserve this wonderful gift of nature. You are greeted by smiling officials in uniforms that are spick and span. The polythene which used to hang on roadside trees and bushes are gone. So have the garbage piles where sambur fed. Instead, you see litter bins about four feet high, secured with lids, blending with nature. New sign boards announces the importance of conservation and directs the visitor to look out for leopards, sambur and other animals at appropriate sites. A strong barricade secures the entrance preventing the passage of polythene and alcohol as well as the unlawful intruding of influential persons. "The tractor, litter bins, rain coats for staff and sign boards were donations from private companies involved in environment conservation. We worked hard and managed to greatly reduce the problems here", says Park Warden, A. H. Sumanasena. He is proud of his staff, who are "very enthusiastic about cleanliness and conservation of the Park." However, it is the warden himself "by setting an example", who compliments his staff. One who "did not feel it menial for his position to pick up polythene or any other refuse lying on the ground", leaving no other option for his staff but to "fall in line, naturally." By the time the last visitor leaves the Plains, the last bit of garbage is also collected by this dedicated group of people.
A group of journalists were there recently to participate at an event which enhanced the conservation efforts at the Horton Plains National Park. An eco-friendly bag made out of cotton and jute was introduced to the visitors of Horton Plains. Since the use of polythene inside the park is prohibited, visitors sometimes find it difficult to carry food and other stuff they wish to use during their journey. The bag which will be available at the entrance of the park and at the ticketing office of the Department of Wild Life Conservation (DWLC), Horton Plains would eliminate this difficulty. Visitors could either purchase a bag at Rs. 100 or loan/rent one for their journey at Rs. 20. These eco-friendly bags were a donation to the Horton Plains Welfare Society by the Upper Watershed Management Project (UWMP) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. "This is a small gesture in appreciation of the conservation endeavour of the staff. The aim of UWMP is also the conservation of watersheds. The Park has the UWMP's support for here are the most primary watersheds the source of our very life", says D. P. Munaweera, Director, UWMP. Though small, the gesture is significant and makes a considerable impact in conserving the 'freshness' and 'purity' of Horton Planes. Let us hope that Horton Plains will not lose its beauty and will stay a blessing for many years to come. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
The air gets more and more crispy. The mist wriggles in and covers the
sights below. You wonder what happened to friends walking a few meters
behind. They have dissolved into oblivion. For a moment, you are alone and
quiet. The transcendental powers of the heavenly beings overwhelm you.
Peace and serenity welling up - you begin to live among the clouds, of the
cloudy forest. A scene from the latest science fiction? No. Perfect
reality and what you can actually experience at the Horton Plains National
Park, about 200 km East of Colombo and 1,800 to 2,300 feet above sea
level.
