Conserving the endangered western purple faced langur
A public awareness program to conserve the critically endangered
western purple-faced langur, or Batahira Heli Wandura, was launched at
the Pulinatalaramaya Maha Viharaya, Kalutara North, on 2nd February.
It began with religious observances conducted by Ven. Dodampahala
Siri Suguna Thera, and was followed by a presentation that drew upon the
Buddha’s teachings of compassion as one of the themes for conserving the
Batahira Heli Wandura.
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Children at religious observances at Pulinatalaramaya Maha
Viharaya, Kalutara North. |
The presentation included references to the Buddhist concept of
rebirth, to motivate compassion towards all living things, and Arahat
Mahinda’s advocay of animal rights to King Devanampiyatissa about 2300
years ago.
It also included references to Buddha’s deep and abiding respect for
the forest, which is the home of the purple-faced langur, and his
strictures about jungle clearing. Unfortunately, unplanned jungle
clearing has been one of the main reasons why the Batahira Heli Wandura
is critically endangered today.
It is listed among the twenty-five most endangered primates in the
world, by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Another theme highlighted by the presentation was the fact that the
purple-faced langur is a species found only in Sri Lanka and nowhere
else in the world.
Hence it is a national treasure, and by conserving this species Sri
Lankans would be expressing their collective responsibility and national
pride to the world for safeguarding this animal.
The presentation was made to the children and parents who had come to
Pulinatalaramaya Maha Viharaya to enrol in its Sunday-school program.
At the end of the presentation, the children were encouraged to
paint, write essays, disseminate information and participate in several
other competitions designed to promote wildlife conservation within the
local community.
The winners of these competitions will be given prizes at a ceremony,
which is tentatively scheduled for March 15, 2008.
Similar activities are also planned for other sites within the
Batahira Heli Wandura’s range.
The next one will be held at the Sri Susiriwardhanaramaya, Kahahena,
Waga, which is close to the largest patch of forest - the
Labugama-Kalatuwawa watershed found within the range of the Batahira
Heli Wandura, and hence a suitable place to conserve this monkey over
the long-term. |
