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| Friday, 28 January 2005 |
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Sabaragamuwa's biodiversity threatened by P.D.A.S. Gunasekera Sri Lanka, a 'pin-head' in the Indian Ocean, has been known to have the 'highest biodiversity rating in all Asia' but the 'deforesting', to date, has left for 'fauna and flora' only 08% of the forests, according to records. Biodiversity in correct proportion is an essential condition for the development of animal life, to thrive and the human life to exist. An imbalance in the extreme proportion could reduce the land to a desert and in lesser proportion could retard development. The biodiversity imbalance in Sabaragamuwa is as old as the beginning of the plantation industry, under colonial rule. It has been on the wane since the European invasion of the jungles for the 'magic-plant' tea, which left no room for animal life, which was swept clean off hundreds of thousands of acres of jungle lands (and others) the only abode of the 'fauna' driving them into extinction slowly but certainly. The increasing biodiversity imbalance, in recent times in the jungles of Sri Lanka and of Sabaragamuwa in particular could be a serious threat in the not too distant future to the nation, affecting the economy, in the lucrative field of tourism to say nothing of the danger to the animal, as well as, human lives. In the animal world, it is the preservation of life, in 'security and seclusion' and the consequent propagation of the species 'fauna and flora' striking a natural balance by the natural process of selection and rejection, that is vital to the continued sustenance of any species. Changes in the biodiversity take place in many ways, other than by plantations, jungle-clearings for chena cultivations, 'illicit tea gardens', cutting down trees by wood-cutters and timber thieves are some of them, responsible for destroying the 'jungle-habitats' of the beasts and the birds, driving them away from their 'natural-homes'. Cultural and traditional changes in the rural sector, 'new and varied patterns of life' have also led to the destruction of wildlife by the 'game-hunters' and the villagers who carried on a lucrative organized trade in animal flesh supplying the 'cullinary needs' of the '5-star hotels' etc., to dish-up the dinner for the wealthy gourmets. Thus, a part of the dispersed wildlife (birds and beasts) falls victims, invariably to the 'game-hunters' rampant in the country, while others through lack of 'community-living', become displaced, isolated and 'endermic threatened', losing their lives, in the end. It is in this latter field that something could still be done, positively, as a short-term measure by biodiversity captive breeding projects, to reclaim at least, for the time being, some of the speedily vanishing species, through organizations like the Biodiversity Care Trust of Sri Lanka. The long-term programme to reclaim the biodiversity balance, however, needs the co-operation of citizens of all communities, rich and poor, man, woman and child, in town and village, especially those living in close proximity to the forests and jungles, enlisted by social organizations, the state and its provincial agencies, under strict surveillance to prevent the 'severe-stress' to the animal-population, driven from pillar to post. The forest conservation has failed in Sri Lanka, for want of interest and understanding of the authorities, whose care has been confined to lip-services, only, while 'overlooking' the forest destruction as well as the animals, helplessly, under a system of vicious political patronage. This situation has been aggravated over the years. In the circumstances Biodiversity care has fallen, so low, that most of the rare and valuable species of animals and birds and other wildlife have become 'endermic-threatened'. Pala-polanga (Green-pit viper), Ann-(horn), Katussa (Tennet Horn Nosed lizard), Pala-Katussa (crestless lizard), Malpoottuwa (ornate paradise fish) are a few of the rare species on the verge of extinction, which could only be saved, as other similar varieties, by biodiversity captive breeding, in selected 'breeding-pockets' as suggested by Biodiversity Care Trust of Sri Lanka in 2002, not to mention the large 'species' whose plight is still in the balance. Biodiversity, is indeed, little understood by the man in the street who is a vital link in social and community relations. The program should be simplified so that every schoolchild or adult could fully grasp the project-concept, creating a wide public awareness in the country, which is no less important for the success expected. It is time, that it is made a popular subject in the curriculum made simple by careful planning and composition to inculcate in the younger generation, the importance of biodiversity care. |
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