Prince of the animal kingdom

For some people animals are not the best of beings while for others animals are drawn like a magnet. Sanath Welarathne belongs to the second ilk. Animals and humans alike are attracted to this humble but amazing man. He is the creator, protector and sustainer of Eco Park, Kandalama. The story of Eco Park is also the story of Sanath.

Ishara JAYAWARDANE in Kandalama

Eco Park at Heritance Kandalama is actually a park that systematically evolved from a project to reduce, re-use and recycle waste. Eco Park began as a need arose for environmental protection. Animals that are wounded are brought in for treatment, rehabilitated and sent back into the jungle. So Eco Park is a collection of many endeavours.

The grey-headed fish eagle is testimony to the service to nature rendered by Eco Park. This bird was wounded and then treated by Sanath. Now even though it is free it comes back to Eco Park to get a meal from Sanath. This is the kind of love Sanath inspires from the animals he touches.

“I joined Kandalama as a clerk in the accounting branch. From my younger days I loved animals and trees. I am a nature lover and improved that by joining organisations such as the young zoologists association. Now I deal primarily with reptiles and I touch all kinds of snakes and help people with their research,” said Chief Eco Animator Sanath Welarathna.

When Kandalama started there was a garbage disposal problem. The problem of waste going into the lake came to the attention of the management. Now dry waste is recycled and this has become a source of income for Kandalama Hotel. The management recognized Sanath’s enthusiasm. Even when he was a clerk at the accounting branch he had that interest in nature and was very active in the environmental society at Kandalama.

Sanath had undergone studies in America last year in his field and is scheduled to visit US again to study more. He was also invited to India to learn about crocodiles.

Eco Park is not for exhibiting animals. The animals at Eco Park were all injured. What Sanath does is take care of them. The centre is a non-profit-making organisation but is solely for nature service and education. During March study groups from schools and even from universities visit the Park.

Kandalama has two gardens, Dambulla and Sigiriya. And there is a scarcity of water. The management understood this at a very early stage. That is how two sewerage plants came into the picture - thus the recycling of water. “We are in a catchment area. We can’t allow waste to go into the lake. The community at Kandalama needs fresh water.

“Water conservation is very important. Water is recycled since taking from the lake will deprive those farmers.

“That is unfair. Our monthly water consumption amounts to the quantity of water that can be used for watering 12,000 acres of cultivation,” pointed out Welarathna.

The Russell’s viper and the Common Krait are the deadliest snakes in the world. But this wonderful man Sanath handles them as if they were the most innocent and harmless of creatures. That is the extent of his abilities.

He has respect for all living things. It does not matter to him that the serpent in his hand is one of the most feared creatures in existence.

In short Sanath is special. Foreigners and locals alike are mesmerized by his personality that comes out in a most dazzling fashion when he interacts with people.

“Initially we didn’t call this an Eco Park. We opened something to ensure that it will help us preserve our environment. What we expected at that time was to have some kind of system to dispose our garbage. We had to face this problem of garbage, because people had the impression that garbage will be strewn all over. That is why Eco Park came into the picture,” - Kandalama Hotel’s Human Resource Assistant Manager Asoka Mendis

“When they started sorting out garbage, Sanath came here. He was the main man, he was in charge. He was expanding the place. Then he started a compost pit using sewerage water and a collection of dry leaves and it added to the Eco Park. Then Sanath started a nice plant nursery. We have planted I think thousands of trees” - Assistant Food and Beverage Manager Gamini Wijetunghe