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| Sunday, 7 August 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Yala after Black Sunday by Indeewara Thilakarathne
It was another bright day for the Yala National Park. The Sun shone ablaze over the vast expanse of land covered with a thick but rather dwarfish layer of trees that had withstood the severe drought. The vegetation throughout the park is of semi-arid kind and in some places one could observe shrubs striped of their leaves and muddy puddles providing swimming pools for wild-buffaloes and crocodiles. On the banks of these pools were painted-cranes dipping their beaks into the water to quench their seemingly never ending thirst. At the Wild Life Conservation Department's Office at the Vilgamuwa entrance to the Park, we met Deputy Park Warden L.B.C. Ferdinance. He said that the arrivals of both local and foreign visitors to the park had decreased by 40 percent. "Foreigners are a bit reluctant to visit the South due to the wrong image created by the international media in the aftermath of the tsunami. The park suffered very little structural damage and none of the animals were killed in the tsunami. However, the situation has changed for the better and the tourist arrivals have increased to 75 percent", said Ferdinance."A visitor's centre will soon be opened and will consist of a Briefing Room with audio and video facilities. The existing road network will also be renovated", he further said. The park is experiencing an increase in the animal population mainly due to the efficient work of the Anti-poaching Unit which was able to stop illegal hunters. "The animals usually fall victim to illegal hunters during this season as they come in search of water to the puddles.
The Deputy Warden also detailed the program of action the Department had launched to solve the "elephant-human conflict" . "A 20 kilometre electric barbed wire fence was constructed with community participation to cover the park. An Elephant drive was also launched to chase the elephants roaming in the villages into the park, said Ferdinance. Five basins in selected tanks were built with the aid of a philanthropist from Colombo. The basins are constructed in the beds of the tanks and are made of steel and concrete. In addition, the Department has launched several educational programs for children, adults and Government officials to increase awareness of the park. A Tsunami warning system has been installed in the park too. Persons from neighbouring villages are being trained as Voluntary Guides. Ferdinance said that Minister Fawzie had also inspected the park. Assistant Director B.V.R. Jayaratne and the Park Warden W.S. Weragama assist and look after the needs of the officers. The park warden requests visitors to refrain from dumping any articles in the park and not to take anything from the park. K.B. Piyaratne, our guide throughout the journey, said that the National Park is usually closed for visitors from September to October. It is during this season that the animals begin mating and the park workers begin their renovation and infrastructure development work. However this season the park has been kept open as it had been closed for couple of months after the tsunami which had not caused a considerable damage to the fauna and flora of the park as projected by some media. As we motored along the meandering beaten track, a pack of wild-boars emerged from the thicket as if to welcome us, a pack of strangers to the park. It was a spectacular sight to see the wild boar lined up before us as if posing for a snap shot. During the course of the drive, we were able to see elephants, wild-boars, spotted deers, leopards and wild bears which are unique to the park. Karolin, a French volunteer engaged in the education of basic healthcare
in Ampara and a couple of journalists from different newspapers and
magazines made cheerful company. By noon we departed from the awe-inspiring
kingdom of animals. |
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