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| Wednesday, 9 July 2003 |
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Illegal encroachments marring Muthurajawela's marvels by Rashomi Silva The gushing waters of the 'Dandugamoya' river swollen with the monsoonal rain and the luxuriant green mangrove forest of the Muthurajawela protected area seemed to be in perfect ecological harmony.
Fallen lifeless foliage, numerous reptiles and slimy molluscs rioting in the muddy land made the once prosperous Muthurajawela paddy land seem even more rich and fertile. Geologists predict in another thousand years Muthurajawela may turn out to be a rich coal mine. Most importantly, the Muthurajawela reserve absorbs most of the monsoonal rain the country's capital receives, preventing probable floods. But if one happened to visit Muthurajawela wet land via Pamunugama, very recently it could be observed that the marshy land was partitioned and small 'shanty' like dwellings are mushrooming every-where. On condition of anonymity a local wildlife official said that encroachers have taken over a land area of over 300 acres, mainly in the Dandugamoya catchment area, the main source of water to the Muthurajawela sanctuary. With the alleged involvement of a controversial politician in encouraging encroachers in the Muthurajawela wetland, the even balance of this eco-system is suddenly found to be in grave peril. It was also alleged that the politician in question was warned against the aftermath of such an imprudent act by his more senior and more mature colleagues but the politician is hell bent on carrying out his programme. When the Daily News visited the area it could be seen that the politician in question was touring the area with his henchmen, may be giving moral support to the encroachers. Time and again the prying eyes of the politicians fell on Muthurajawela, the land stretching across thousands of hectares. They promise land to the landless, then come the growing needs of the newly settled community, from a politician's point of view, that will make an ideal platform for the political promises, so that in the coming election they can bait the 'ignorant' voters' promising electricity, water and better infrastructure. According to the Bio-diversity Report carried out by the Sri Lanka Country office of the World Conservation Unit in 2000, the Muthurajawela wetland sanctuary covers 6232ha and is the largest coastal peat bog of Sri Lanka and was estimated to have originated about 5000 years BC. This is located on the West coast between Negombo lagoon and Kelani river, spreading inland up to Ragama and Peliyagoda in the Gampaha district. In addition to the task of preventing floods, the wetland makes a natural habitat for hundreds of varieties of endangered species as well as endemic species. Due to the ecological and biological importance of this wetland sanctuary it was recently named a 'protected wetlands of the world'. Seven major vegetation types, marsh, lentic flora, shrubland, reed swamp, grassland stream bank and Mangrove make up the flora diversity of Muthurajawela. The researchers have identified 190 species belonging to 65 families with one endemic species, three nationally threatened species and 11 alien invasive species. The Bio diversity report says 209 fauna varieties were identified in the sanctuary, with 17 endemic types and 26 nationally threatened varieties. Mangroves and lentic are said to be two of the most important environments in the marshy land providing habitats for the migratory birds. They also make breeding and feeding habitats for fishes and aquatic birds. 'Fishing tiger' is another rare species living in Muthurajawela. "When we come across a 'Fishing tiger' we release them in Muthurajawela, the local wildlife officials said, "human settlements will scare them away and may ultimately eliminate the endangered species disrupting the entire ecological balance. Apart from the recent illegal settlement in the sanctuary, Muthurajawela, faces a series of difficulties due to the rapid development of the urban area in the proximity. The two consecutive status reports on bio diversity published by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) have revealed that the eco system has changed distinctly during the time between the attempts. "The major factors that lead to the deterioration of the habitats in Muthurajawela include land reclamation, clearing of vegetation, deliberate fire, dumping of garbage polythene and plastic, discharge of agro-chemical and organic pollution. They drastically contribute to change the vegetation and habitat types within the sanctuary," the latest report published by the CEA quoted. Meanwhile the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, speaking to the Daily News said that they have given notice to the encroachers and that strict action will be taken against them. |
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