Will they be avian deathtraps?
In July this year the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUSL) created serious concern among the public when it was announced that Sri Lanka is now moving towards a major power crisis if appropriate action is not taken by 2018. The PUSL warning the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had said that under drought conditions and even with planned plant additions, Sri Lanka is set to face energy capacity shortages in 2018 and beyond. ¨Due to drought conditions, the planned plant additions too may be inadequate and new options should be perused,¨ the PUSL had said.
The looming power crisis has increased the urgency for the CEB to find other sources of energy but reliability and environmental concerns plague their choices at hand; whether it be wind power, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or solar power.
Today, non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE)amounts to only 9.9 percent of Sri Lanka’s total power generation, according to the Central Bank and the government in its energy policy has set a target to generate 20 per cent of the country’s power needs through NCRE sources by 2020.
With the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) identifying the potential generation of wind power approximately 375 MW in the Mannar region, yet another wind farm has been commissioned to be built in Mannar with the Department of Coast Conservation recently giving the go-ahead and clearing the project of any potential negative environmental impact.
Despite requiring significant investment, wind power is, perhaps, one of the cleanest forms of energy produced, not requiring the burning of fossil fuels, and is renewable due to constant availability making it an ideal renewable energy option for Sri Lanka. According to the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change compared with other low carbon sources, wind turbines have the lowest global warming potential per unit of electricity generated.
However, despite the form of energy generation being environmentally friendly, environmentalists in the country have now raised grave concerns regarding the proposed Mannar wind farm due to its location and its effect on the migrant bird population arriving in the island.
Location
The adverse connection between wind farms and birds is a common problem and perhaps the main criticism faced by wind farms the world over with large spinning turbines being called bird deathtraps, as they cut through the flying space of birds, turning at over 300 kilometres per hour resulting in a large number of bird deaths annually. While the actual numbers are a point of contention, it is believed bird mortality at wind energy facilities can vary, depending on the location, construction, and height, with some facilities reporting zero bird fatalities, and others as high as 9.33 birds per turbine per year according to one research report.
The location chosen by the CEB for the wind power plant lies on the southern shore of Mannar island between the Adam´s Bridge Marine National Park and the Vankalai Sanctuary, a declared International Ramsar Wetland. According to leading environmentalists, and the Ceylon Birds Club, Mannar Island is an internationally recognised Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), consisting of wetlands and nature reserves, home to over 190 species of birds, and therefore, constructing such a wind farm could contribute to a large number of avoidable avian fatalities.
According to the Ceylon Birds’ Club Joint Secretary Kithsiri Gunawardene the main issue is with the locality of the wind farm he says, adding that research and historical records of the club has proved this area is in fact where migratory birds first land during their long and arduous journey to escape the harsh winter of their home countries, from September to April.
Senior Lecturer of the Wayamba University Dr. Sevvandi Jayakody confirms this. ¨The proposed wind farm is obstructing a well known route taken by migratory birds,¨ she said.
According to experts, yearly, migratory birds take two main routes to the country, one being the route from Rameshwaram, India over the cluster of islands known as Adam’s Bridge to reach the Vankalai bird sanctuary in Mannar. This, according to environmentalists, has, therefore, contributed to the increase of bird population, with birds from countries such as Russia, Belarus, China and Mongolia using the route to migrate. While over one million birds enter the island through this route annually, environmentalists claim the proposed wind farm will be hazardous and claim many fatalities, if built on the proposed site.
Gunawardene says, Mannar is a sensitive and important site for seabirds such as, the Crab Plover, Flamingos, Bridled Tern and the Roseate Tern. Ornithologists say, many migratory birds to Urumalai in Mannar landfall during night time before going on to Vankalai. According to Gunawardene, Sri Lanka being the last point of travel for many migratory birds, the construction of such a farm, while obstructing the path of birds who are fatigued, having travelled thousands of kilometres to reach Sri Lanka, will cause disastrous consequences. “The proposed wind farm is along this landfall area,” he says.
Initial report
Environmentalists have also expressed their displeasure at the Initial Environment Examination (IEE) by a team led by Professor in Zoology Devaka Weerakoon, University of Colombo. According to Sajeewa Chamikara of the Environment Conservation Trust, the report is inadequate to understand the environmental situation in the area. “Much data is lacking from the report. All areas of concern have not been looked into,” he said.
“The birds landfall during the night and do this over several months of the year,” says Gunawardene. “The truth should not be suppressed as it can have unpleasant consequences. When the farm is built, it will not be commercially viable to dismantle it if found to adversely affect the animals,” he says.
According to Dr. Sevvandi Jayakody the issue also brings into perspective the scientific methodology and processes used in creating reports needed to give clearance to various projects. ¨Repeatedly we see that such erroneous reports are the main cause for serious environmental issues in the country” she said.
Legal Aspect
¨The IEE claims, 18 hours was spent at each of the six assigned vantage points to collect data,¨ she says questioning if this time is adequate to collect data despite the report taking over two years to be completed. While the report then claims that bird population during migration and other times remains the same, Dr. Jayakody says she is confused as to how this conclusion was arrived at when only a short time was spent at each point to collect the needed data. ¨The data collected by the Ceylon Bird Club proves otherwise and shows a large increase of birds in the area during migration periods,¨ she said.
Earlier, CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala assured that proper procedure will be adhered to during the project. “We chose Mannar as it is one of the best spots for wind power generation,” he said adding that Mannar along with several other sites have been chosen for proposed wind farms due to their suitability in a move to increase non-conventional renewable energy generation methods in the country.
“The EIA has not been concluded. Once it is done, we will submit it to the public for their opinions and concerns,” he said in June this year.
“The CEB has no mandate to work against the law” Wijepala said adding that the CEB will at all times comply with the environmental laws of Sri Lanka.
However according to environmentalists despite assuring an EIA, the Coast Conservation Department has now approved the project based on the IEE done.
According to Environmentalist and Lawyer Jagath Gunawardena, rightfully such approval should be granted by the Department of Wildlife protection under the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance if any development project is being constructed within a mile’s radius from a national park, and in this instance the Adamś Bridge marine National Park. ¨However despite this the Coast Conservation Department was named as the approving authority¨ he said adding that this created loopholes to get the project approved
Legally the Coast Conservation Department can approve a project after calling for an IEE or an Environment Impact Assessment EIA (EIA) under the Coast Conservation Act under the Coast Conservation Act. However, unlike under the Flora and Fauna Ordinance legally the Coast Conservation Act does not require the approving authority to seek public opinion on the matter allowing the project to be approved sans any opposition. According to Gunawardene as required the report has not been submitted to review by the Coast Conservation Advisory Board, a serious lapse on the part of the department.
Alternatives
While reiterating that they are in support of renewable energy projects, Gunawardene says their request is that the wind farm should be constructed in an area between Silawathurai and Arippu. “There is ample wind and no harm to the migratory patterns of birds in these areas,” he says adding that it would be the ideal win-win situation.
“Birds protect the equilibrium of the environment by keeping insects that multiply fast in control,” Gunawardene says adding that they are the cleansers of the environment.
Source : Sunday Observer http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/09/25/fea03.asp
Co-habitation between man and elephant the only answer to solve HEC
Co-existence is the one and only answer to the human-elephant conflict (HEC) and weaving this into the development plans of areas in the grip of HEC is the need of the hour.
This is the firm belief of the Chairman of the Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR), Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando who has been conducting research on elephants for over 25 years.
The mitigation of the HEC is not the duty of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) alone, he tells the Sunday Times when we catch up with him in Galgamuwa.
Citing Wayamaba (North Western Province) as a ‘classic’ example, Dr. Fernando points out that there are a couple of million people, houses and home gardens, about 200,000 acres of paddy and around 2,000 elephants in an area of about 750,000 hectares. Everybody expects about 50 DWC officers in Wayamba to prevent the HEC. These officers are stretched and strained to their limits trying to “conserve people and their property” rather than doing their job of safeguarding and conserving wildlife including elephants.
“The HEC has to be handled by the appropriate stakeholders, with the people who suffer due to the HEC taking the primary measures to address the problem. A major role in mitigating the HEC has to be played by officials and agencies whose responsibility is the ‘people’s welfare’. They would include administrative officials such as the District Secretary, the Divisional Secretaries and their teams including the Grama Niladharis; the development agencies such as Mahaweli, Agriculture and Irrigation Departments; and also the Disaster Management authorities, as the HEC is a man-made disaster. Conservation agencies can and should only play a secondary role,” he says.
Dr. Fernando laments that unplanned development, which is encroaching more and more into the homes of wild elephants, is creating a crisis in the area. There are large-scale encroachments by influential Colombo people and companies who are acquiring land in the area and cultivating large extents. This takes away the limited elephant habitat and obstructs elephant movements. Consequently, there is confrontation and conflict. The moment someone gets killed there are protests against the DWC and a clamour for the elephants to be taken elsewhere.
But that is not the answer, the Sunday Timeslearns. These wild elephants have been in the area from time immemorial. It is almost impossible to remove them by force from their ‘traditional homes’ and incarcerate them in Protected Areas elsewhere. If that is done they do not survive. Like in other parts of the country, countless elephant drives have been carried out in Ehetuwewa and Galgamuwa areas annually. The DWC is forced to continue this activity although such drives are futile and, in fact, increase rather than mitigate the HEC.
(Elephant falls victim to the wrath of villagers)
Thereafter, some of these free-roaming elephants have been fenced in, limiting their range to the Inginimitiya reservoir and the teak plantation in Galgamuwa and preventing them from utilizing half their home range on the Ehetuwewa side. As a result the elephants have no recourse, but to break the fences or starve to death. In such situations, it is the problem-causing male elephants that break the fences and continue their depredations, but the innocent female herds and young which suffer.The CCR had facilitated the DWC to track a number of elephants using radio collars which clearly showed that the elephants refused to leave and/or kept returning to their ‘traditional homelands’ where they had lived all their lives, being born, eating, drinking, mating, producing babies, growing up and dying.
Making matters worse, the Sunday Times understands, is that in an elephant drive, there is severe confrontation. Elephants are confronted inside the forest where they are hiding during the day, they are hollered at, thousands of huge fire-crackers are lit and thrown at them and they are sprayed with shotgun pellets.
“The elephants face this intense conflict repeatedly and who is the perpetrator of their pain, agony and trauma? Humans! Then, when they do not leave, or return to their homeland, as they are wont to do and as scientific research has established beyond doubt, what would be the consequence? They go into the fields and when a farmer tries to chase them, the elephants simply see red. What else can be expected of wild animals,” asks Dr. Fernando.
This is why co-habitation between human and elephant must and should be woven into the development plan and measures taken to ensure this, he adds
Source : 26/09/2016 Sunday Times http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160918/news/co-habitation-between-man-and-elephant-the-only-answer-to-solve-hec-209067.html
Sinharaja’s slithering new beauty
A new creature has been found in the Sinharaja rainforest, surprising experts who believed the well-researched forest had few secrets left.
Hidden from sight high in the tree canopy is a new and vividly-coloured snake now revealed by veteran herpetologist Mendis Wickramasinghe in an article published this week in the prestigious science journal, Zootaxa.
“The snake lives in the canopy of the forest and that could be the reason it eludes the eyes of researchers who frequent Sinharaja,” Mr. Wickramasinghe explained. He had first seen the snake as early as 2001 while conducting other research and had continued to search for this snake afterwards, managing to spot just six such specimens.
He has named the new snake the Sinharaja tree snake or Sinharaja bronze-backed snake.
The Sinharaja tree snake is a beautiful reptile with a unique colour pattern of prominent cross-bars in black and white and a red neck. It has a dark purple tongue. It has a slender body, rounded pupils, enlarged vertebral scales, and a head distinct from the body.
The live specimen Mr. Wickremasinghe photographed was recorded 15m high up in trees near Kudawa. “I was on top of a small cliff so the tree canopy was at eye level when I spotted the beauty,” he said, recalling his chance encounter.
The snake is active during the day and lives in the trees. Its large pupils give it very good eyesight, and Mr. Wickremasinghe believes sight, more than scent, is used to hunt prey. The snake could be feeding on geckos, lizards, skinks and could be laying its eggs in tree hollows.
The holotype or the single type specimen upon which the scientific description and name of a new species is based was unfortunately a member of the species run over on the road near Mederipitiya. Mr. Wickramasinghe preserved it in formalin and then began the painful scientific process of comparing it with specimens of other snakes to make sure it was not, in fact, already known to science.
Mr. Wickremasinghe assigned the snake to the genus Dendrelaphis and gave it the scientific name Dendrelaphis sinharajensis. In Sinhala, it is called Sinharaja haldanda and in Tamil, Sinharaja komberi.
The Dendrelaphis genus has 44 members around the world. There are six bronze-backed snakes in the country, three of them endemic. Although they share many common features, the colour pattern of Sinharaja tree snake makes it easily distinguishable from its close relatives.
The Sinharaja tree snake is rarely sighted, so it is likely to be rare, Mr. Wickramasinghe said, stressing the need for more research into the species.
Habitat loss and forest fragmentation could affect this species directly as it need trees to survive. But, sadly, the axe of destruction moves at the boundaries of the Sinharaja forest.
With the new discovery, Mendis Wickremasinghe has scientifically described 23 new species – two snakes, 11 amphibians, seven geckos and three skinks. He hinted that another discovery is on the way, so keep checking The Sunday Times for another new species very soon.
Source :25/09/2016 Sunday Times http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160918/news/sinharajas-slithering-new-beauty-209050.html
Environmentalists, officials, trade insults over fires
More forest fires have left a trail of destruction over more than 1000 acres of forest, killing wild animals and birds and leaving long-term damage.
The fires were reported from a number of areas including the Knuckles mountain range , Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala, Anuradhapura and Badulla, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) officials said.
Environmentalists claim the significant loss of animal and plant life was caused by lack of adequate action by the DMC, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Forest Department.
“The Knuckles range, which is also a World Heritage Site, is known for harbouring endemic animals that can only be found at that area. This fire is more than enough to wipe out several species from existence,” environmental researcher Gayan Wijetunga said.
He explained forest fires were caused by carelessness such as through people throwing cigarette butts onto the ground or when – mostly during the dry season – poachers and farmers set fire to the undergrowth to attract deer afterwards to newly-sprouting plants or to clear land for farming.
Endemic frogs, small mammals, lizards, snakes, tortoises and even big animals are burnt alive during such fires, which spread fast with winds.
Another environmentalist, Supun Lahiru Prakash of the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle, also said the DMC, DWC and the Forest Department were slow to respond to forest fires, especially when there were no houses in the area or threat to human life.
He said that when forest undergrowth disappears in fires invasive plant species take over while providing no edible food for the wildlife.
Forest fires, he added, can be a prelude to other disasters such as the drying-up of water springs and landslides.
The use of fires is forbidden in any protected reserves. Use of fire and arsonists can be penalised under the Fauna and Flora Act and the Wildlife Act, but even when villagers captured the culprits the police and the DWC did not pursue charges, Mr Prakash said.
Rangers of the Forest and Wildlife departments should be given equipment to fight fires and training to stop fires, he said.
The DWC Director of Operations, W.S.K. Pathiratna, insisted his department had assisted the Forest Department to manage the fire.
“Prevention is the best way to stop forest fires,” he added. “During hot periods we trim the savannah forests and create fire belts (removal of undergrowth to a length of five metres to prevent fire from reaching other areas). We also have to maintain that,” he said.
He said poachers were now setting fire to parks during droughts to hunt bigger animals, burning and allowing regrowth to attract more animals to the area.
Mr. Pathiratna said anyone who lit a fire in a wildlife reserve would be taken to court and could be fined Rs. 30,000-100,000 but the chances of catching culprits was difficult.
DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said Air Force helicopters had to make more than 50 flights to help firefighting efforts in the Knuckles ranges, and fuel for a single trip cost Rs. 50,000.
“Officials of the three forces and the police, district DMC officials, the Forest Department and the Wildlife Department joined forces when the Knuckles fire broke out and fought it for days to stop the fire from spreading,” he said, rejecting claims that not enough effort had been made to control the conflagration.
“Environmentalists and NGOs claim that we did nothing but actually they are the ones who stay at home and just provide comments,” he retorted.
Police Superintendent Ruwan Gunasekara said Ududumbara police officials were the first to respond to the fire and alerted other police posts as well as governmental departments.
“We are still unaware whether the fire was a result of human activity. If culprits are found they will be punished under the Penal Code under the offence of Mischief by Arson,” he said.
“Investigations of forest fires are difficult but if a culprit is found legal action would be taken against,” he said.
Source : 25/09/2016 Sunday Times http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160918/news/environmentalists-officials-trade-insults-over-fires-209045.html
National Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Week in Galle
The main event of the National Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Week and Coastal Cleanup Programme organised by the Marin Environment Protection Authority and Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management was held in Galle under the patronage of Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva on Friday.
The programme initiated following the Blue Green concept of President Maitripala Sirisena and Mahaweli Development and Environment was also attended by Marine Environment Protection Authority chairman Rear Admiral (Rtd) Rohana Perera and Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department director general B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi.
Schoolchildren and teachers, officials of the Galle district office, Galle Four Gravets Divisional Secretariat office, Southern Provincial Environment Ministry and representatives of environment organisations participated.
A cleaning programme along the beach at Devata, Galle followed the inauguration of the National Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Week.
Source: 26/09/2016 Daily News http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2016/09/26/local/94040
CLIMATE CHANGE: There are no options
Climate change is inevitable, but disaster and catastrophe are not
Sadly Sri Lanka has not contributed greatly to the current situation but, as global citizens, we share the responsibility to ensure that Sri Lanka and indeed this world is left in a condition in which future generations can prosper By implementing them sooner than later, it places us in a win-win scenario. For example, by harvesting and storing rainwater during higher rainfall seasons, we can increase our climate resistance whilst also addressing our current developmental objectives.
Climate change is now internationally accepted as a scientific fact. At present, the global climate is changing at an unprecedented rate and on an unprecedented scale. The driving force behind these changes is human action, principally through the emission of carbon into our atmosphere. We are witnessing the impact of global warming on our environment, our economy and our society. The recent floods that devastated Sri Lanka is a prime example of this. The science is clear that if systemic changes are not addressed at local, national and international levels, climate change has the potential to severely impact the world that current and future generations will inhabit. In this sense, global warming constitutes a challenge that is both immediate and inter-generational. It is imperative that we, as a nation, cognizant of the very vital, vibrant and spiritual connection between people and nature, act to nurture and protect the environment. We must also recognise that climate change will bring social and economic challenges that will only mount if we are not proactive in managing them.
Therefore it is in the interest of our environment, our people and of future generations that we act swiftly and unequivocally. But we must do so in a way that is measured, well informed, and equitable to all citizens.
Sri Lanka, as a developing island state, surrounded by the sea and dependent on agriculture, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These impacts will be far reaching and potentially devastating:
The current amplitude of sea level rise is occurring at a rate unmatched in the previous two millennia – to put that into perspective, sea level has not been this high since the arrival of prince Vijaya. Sea level rise not only puts coastal communities and settlements at risk, but increases salinity in coastal areas and can render large swathes of currently arable land as agriculturally useless. This has the potential to make regional livelihoods and national food security both critically vulnerable to this danger.
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. In coming years, floods, droughts, cyclones and storm surges are predicted to become more frequent and more devastating.
Climate change will fundamentally alter monsoonal patterns. Fluctuations in annual rainfall in Sri Lanka are predicted to increase and cause far greater spatial variation between wet and dry areas. Ultimately, models suggest that wet areas will become wetter and dry areas will become drier. Such a shift is likely to adversely affect agriculture and food security. Historical paddy seasons Maha and Yala will change, which is an unprecedented change in the entire civilization of this country. Sri Lanka’s hydro-power, which provides 42% of our electricity is reliant on rain falling in the right places – which fluctuations and spatial variability might affect.
In total, the economic impact of climate change in the agricultural sector alone may rise to as much as 39 billion rupees. Indeed, the impacts on water resources inevitably flow on to impacts on electricity generation and the availability of potable water. Together, these impacts will be multiplied throughout economic and social spheres. The integrated nature of the physical, environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change demonstrates that it represents a systemic problem that poses a systemic risk, which must be dealt with through systemic transition. Its impact will be felt across all government sectors, all parts of industry and all levels of society.
Sadly Sri Lanka has not contributed greatly to the current situation but, as global citizens, we share the responsibility to ensure that Sri Lanka and indeed this world is left in a condition in which future generations can prosper.
In this sense, blame and despair are not options, and neither is idleness. By adopting a forward-thinking and pragmatic approach, Sri Lanka can lead as an example, towards which other developing countries and island states can look for inspiration to tackle and adapt to climate change.
While Sri Lanka is not solely nor significantly responsible for climate change, we are responsible for how we respond to it. All nations currently have the option to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions, and the option to adapt to whatever changes is likely to occur in spite of these mitigation efforts.
As a small, developing island nation we have limited options in making a substantial contribution in mitigating the inevitability of climate change. We do, however, have the ability to adapt to these changes. While the European Union take lead on climate change mitigation, we can take lead in adaptation.
Climate change is inevitable, but disaster and catastrophe are not.
Scientists have identified how a changing climate has the potential to damage our environment, economy and society, which provides a roadmap for how we might respond. Based on this wisdom, and our forward thinking, we have the capacity to innovate, and transition the nature of our economy and society to better cope with these changes.
The earlier we think and act, the more flexible our adaptations will be. We should view our vulnerable position in the face of a warming planet not as hopeless, but as an opportunity to lead the world in adaptation and innovation. As members of a conscious and connected global community, we can stand at the vanguard of vulnerable developing nations committed to exercising their adaptive agency in the face of climate change.
We have demonstrated our leadership, resilience and adaptive capacity before. The country has rebuilt from natural disasters with admirable resilience. Within development spheres we have also risen to the challenge: We have achieved near universal literacy and health care, helping the country achieve a middle income status coupled with a high human development index rank. Action on climate change will be a crucial part of our journey as we move on from the Millennium Development Goals to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
In many cases, climate change adaptation interventions can be considered “no regrets” initiatives – being of benefit regardless of the effects of global warming. By implementing them sooner than later, it places us in a win-win scenario. For example, by harvesting and storing rainwater during higher rainfall seasons, we can increase our climate resistance whilst also addressing our current developmental objectives. Similarly, promoting better irrigation techniques, wastewater recycling and groundwater utilisation are all of social and economic benefit regardless of whether a changing climate will lead to a regional decrease in precipitation.
It is projected that by 2040, Sri Lanka will experience water stress almost three times baseline levels. This is true even under an ‘optimistic’ climate scenario. It is only by recognising and accepting our vulnerability to situations such as these that we can implement effective adaptive measures in order to reduce the negative effects we will feel as a nation.
Much work has been done to improve climate resilience and climate awareness in the global finance sector. Although these relate largely to mitigation of climate change, they have a significant impact on the global economy, which Sri Lanka, particularly our industrial sector, is a part of. Transition to a low carbon global economy would mean that we would have to change and adapt to regulatory changes in the outside world. We are well aware of the impacts on our economy from the isolationist practices, for example the loss of the GSP+ concession. Our economy cannot afford such ignorance, we should be at the forefront in terms of governance, and more importantly research led governance which ensures that we are informed and prepared to face regulatory changes. If we are at the forefront, we are not only prepared to adapt but we will be prepared to reap the benefits from the global transition to a low carbon economy. The world has now woken up to the magnitude of the challenge that climate change poses to humankind. This is signified by the global agreement of COP 21 in Paris, at which 190 countries, including Sri Lanka, signed on to commit to tackle climate change and its impacts.acting with cognizance and prudence will not only reap benefits to us and the country, but to future generations too.
Source: 23/09/2016 Daily Mirror ,http://www.dailymirror.lk/116274/Climate-change-There-are-no-options
Zoo Elephants’ entitlement comfort inn captivity
For most of us, the Dehiwala Zoo is a place of interest as there are so many animals to be viewed; but for some others, it is a place where large animals that cannot speak are forced to entertain and are confined to small areas and remain chained for most of their lives.
Elephants at the Dehiwala Zoo cannot remember a day when they were free of chains. The Dehiwala Zoo commenced operations in 1939 and is one of the oldest zoos in Asia; however, since its inception no director general saw it fit to rid these poor animals of their chains.
When Ceylon Today visited the Dehiwala Zoo, the most heartbreaking sight was that of a baby elephant lifting its front leg and trying to remove the chain with the trunk and another in another similar scene, another elephant calf was trying to remove its chain from the leg by its trunk. This is the stress and trauma these majestic animals are put through just so that visitors can come and stare at them. These elephants in captivity are highly stressed and this is visible by the way they sway backwards and forwards while confined to their small enclosures and kept for viewing.
The African elephant Jora was brought from Botswana together with a female Nandipa around 1995. Nandipa died at the zoo in 2005. Since then, the zoo officials have seen no need to get Jora a partner. Jora remains tied in a small area at the zoo.
According to zoo officials Jora is not allowed to interact with the other elephants because he is of a different species. According to former Deputy Director Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) and elephant expert Dr. Nandana Atapattu elephants are social animals and require the company of other animals.
But despite the plight of these animals local and foreign visitors can be seen blatantly taking pictures and showing their children these animals in chains as if they were a painting to be admired.
The decision to construct an open elephant enclosure for the first time in the history at the zoo was taken by a former Director General of the zoo Brigadier H.A.N.T Perera way back in 2004. It was Brigadier Perera who understood the suffering of these large animals and decided it was about time they were freed of their chains. The extent of the elephant area at the time was six acres and the estimated cost was Rs 35 million. However, the land allocated for the open elephant enclosure was reduced to a little more than one acre; due to the lack of space, at the Dehiwala Zoo.
The open elephant arena was to be completed by the first quarter of 2005. But even today, zoo officials are still struggling to complete this elephant enclosure.
Acting Director General Dammika Malsinghe told Ceylon Today that work on the open elephant enclosure was stopped temporarily; due an internal problem with the Buildings Department. “I have spoken to the relevant officials and work on the elephant enclosure will commence soon. When the elephants are kept in a free roaming area, minus their chains, the mahouts lose control over the animals. Plans are underway to complete the elephant enclosure by the end 2016,” Malsinghe said.
But the zoo authorities are yet to come up with a plan to release Jora the African elephant from his chains. “When the elephant enclosure is complete all the elephants except the African elephant will be put in the new enclosure. We have to decide if we are to keep Jora at Dehiwala or send him to the Hambantota Safari Park,” Malsinghe said.
The delay in the construction of the open elephant enclosure through the years was due to the change in directors, before the work was completed. With the change in government Brig. Perera was removed from his post as Director General and his plans for the open elephant arena was delayed.
The previous, Director General, Bashwara Gunaratne, who took office in 2010, told Ceylon Today at the time, that the open elephant enclosure would be completed by December 2011. However, Gunaratne’s tenure as Director General was over in mid 2012 and the open elephant enclosure was not completed when he left.
In late June 2012, the then Director General Anura de Silva, told Ceylon Today, that they hope to complete the open elephant enclosure by December 2012. “Due to a lapse on the part of the State Engineering Corporation work on the elephant arena was further delayed and not completed in December 2012. I have told the State Engineering Corporation, that work on this area has to be completed by the end of August 2013. We are not in a position to cancel the agreement we have signed with the State Engineering Corporation as they were chosen after having called for tenders.” De Silva said at the time.
“When some of the elephants tested positive for Tuberculosis they were kept in the area where the open elephant enclosure was to be built and work was delayed further.”
“If an elephant is tame there is no need to use the bullhook and chains to control the animal. If there are professional and experienced mahouts they should know how to command and control the animals. Elephants are intelligent animals and understand better than humans. In foreign zoos Asian and African elephants are kept without chains. If an elephant can’t be taken without chains then don’t take that animal anywhere. Elephants walk for 20 kilo metres a day in the jungle. Some animals may walk in one place and go round and round but that amount of distance is covered by the animal. This exercise helps to keep the animal’s body healthy. If, however, the animal exceeds 20 kilo metres he will stop and rest for a while. At least five acres of land is needed for five adult elephants to roam in an open enclosure. If the Dehiwala Zoo doesn’t have enough space to keep these elephants they should be taken to a place where there is sufficient space for the elephants to roam,” Dr.Atapattu explained.
The zoo is also criticized for forcing elephants to perform at the elephant show every day at 4.30 p.m.
“I hate to see elephants standing on their heads, sitting on small stools and standing on two legs to perform. The elephant doesn’t play the mouth organ even though children are made to believe that they do. 20 per cent of the breathing is done by the elephant’s mouth and 80 by the trunk. When the mouth organ is kept close to the elephant’s mouth every time, the elephant breathes, the mouth organ makes a sound. I detest elephants being forced to perform these gimmicks due to fear of the ankus and the kris knife. Fruits are given to elephants when they perform a trick, just like giving a baby a chocolate. Elephant shows have been a zoo feature since the inception of the zoo and it is high time this was stopped,” Dr. Atapattu explained.
Zoologist Dilan Peiris says not many people know the meaning of a zoo. “The purpose of a zoo is to conserve and protect its animals for future generations. All zoos should work towards the welfare of the animals. But the Dehiwala Zoo is not moving forward but backwards when it comes to animal welfare. The elephant performance at the Dehiwala Zoo shows that there is no animal welfare when it comes to these animals. The elephant shows should be stopped immediately. Why should animals be forced to perform to entertain visitors? Forcing these animals to perform is not good for their health. Educational programmes should be introduced for children at the Dehiwala Zoo. The zoo should not be closed down but should be improved where animal welfare is concerned,” Peiris explained.
Zoo officials, however, have no plans of stopping the elephant performance. “The elephant show is continuing at the zoo. But some items such as the elephants standing on stools and in an up-right position were stopped recently. The item where the elephants stand on their heads was stopped some time ago. Educational items such as how an elephant carries a log have been introduced to the show instead,” Malsinghe said.
The first elephant show was in 1947. However Jora the African elephant and Bandula are not taken for the elephant shows. Bandula is used to carry the elephants meals that consist of leaves and branches to the elephant shed. While transporting the food Bandula is untied for a short period of time. Bandula the oldest male elephant was brought to the zoo in 1949.
Source : 20/09/2016 Ceylon Today, http://www.ceylontoday.lk/print20160701CT20161030.php?id=5785
Sri Lanka to shift farmers from elephant corridors
Sri Lanka today announced it was planning to relocate farmers living on the edges of forests inhabited by elephants to reduce the numbers killed on both sides.
Wildlife minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said the island’s elephant population had dropped to 6,000, from 7,379 counted five years ago, as deadly encounters between animals and humans increase.
“Although various measures like erecting of electric fences were taken to prevent human-elephant conflicts, so far this has not been resolved,” Perera said in a statement.
“Steps are being taken to resolve the issue by relocating the inhabitants in identified elephant migratory pathways.”
He did not say how many farmers would be relocated in 18 affected districts out of the island’s total of 25. But elephant expert Jayantha Jayewardene said he believed thousands were encroaching on elephant habitats and moving them would be a challenge.
“Sri Lankan elephants usually don’t migrate from one area to another, but what has happened is that thousands of farmers have encroached and split the traditional habitat of elephants.
“This means frequent clashes and we need a much more thought out plan to deal with the problem,” Jayewardene told AFP. “Evicting thousands of people will not be easy. One thing is sure, more elephants than people get killed in this battle.”
Elephants are considered sacred animals in Sri Lanka and killing them is a criminal offence, punishable by death.
But officials said there had been a rapid expansion of farms near wildlife parks, shrinking elephant habitats and causing frequent clashes between the two.
Official figures show 270 people and 942 elephants were killed in such encounters across the country over four years to 2014. Some 5,095 homes were damaged during the same period.
Wild elephants were also killed after being hit by trains and due to floods and lightening strikes. Female elephants are known to have been killed so that their babies can be snatched and kept as pets.
Owning a baby elephant is a status symbol in Sri Lanka although authorities recently began a crackdown against the trend.
Source : 15/09/2016 Business standard http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/sri-lanka-to-shift-farmers-from-elephant-corridors-116091400954_1.html
Wildlife Act to be amended
Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said that steps are being taken to amend the Wildlife Act of 1932 to fall in line with the changing times.
A committee has been appointed to amend the present Wildlife Act which is over 80 years old and make suitable recommendations, the Minister told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
“We have to look into international agreements and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) when effecting amendments to the Act. We have to abide by the international law on endangered species,” he said. The CITES is an international agreement between Governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants do not threaten their survival. This year, the CITES Conference will be held in South Africa from September 24 to October 5.
“Our biggest problem is that the Wildlife Ministry was corrupt in the past. Various complaints had been made against the officials by politicians and they became helpless. Some of them had got into trouble as a result of various Commission Reports,” the Minister said.
According to the Minister, the number of tourist arrivals in the country would be around 2.5 million by the end of this year. Sri Lanka had recorded 1.8 million tourist arrivals last year. In 2015, the Wildlife Ministry had remitted Rs. 3,500 million to Government coffers. At present, the Ministry is faced with a shortage of approximately 1,500 workers including the marine sector.
“I have submitted a Cabinet paper in this regard. We can’t run national parks without an adequate number of workers.
For example, if we take Minneriya National Park, it has only 12 trackers while its daily income exceeds Rs. 3 million. Nearly 300 vehicles visit Minneriya daily. The situation in Yala and other National Parks is more or less the same,” he said. The Minister said that the Wildlife Ministry generates an income of Rs. 22 million per day and that this will exceed Rs. 25 million by end of this year.
Source : 11/09/2016 Sunday Observer http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/09/11/new17.asp
Sri Lanka focusing on Green Sustainable Development
Sri Lanka is focusing on green sustainable development as envisaged in the Maithri Palanayak Election Manifesto, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament yesterday.
He said the government had already approved a Sustainable Development Council Bill and the same has been referred to Provincial Councils for their observations. He added that following their observations, the government could debate on it and pass the bill in Parliament, adding that following the bill being passed, the Sustainable Development Minister could come up with new plans for the future.
He made these observations moving the Ratification of the Paris Agreement on the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted in New York on May 09, 1992.
He said that he was happy that Parliamentarians take a keen interest on the matter and he should also explain as to why a change in Parliamentary business is needed to bring this forward.
“Global Climate Change has captured our attention during the last few decades. The United Nations adopted the framework at the Convention on Climate Change in 1992. But the problem was that the countries could not agree to the steps to be taken. We can see how long it had taken for global countries to come into an agreement. The problem was that, developed countries did not need to control the emission as they thought their own development process would be affected, Premier Wickremesinghe said. “We are well aware that during the last two centuries, the the industrial revolution, the rapid development of the world economies, the World War 11, use of atomic weapons, the test on nuclear weapons, etc. have made a significant impact on the Global Climate Change. Therefore,concerning the Climate Change, the expected 1.5 to 2 Celsius degree increase is getting exceeded. As I told you earlier, the waters of the Mahaweli river could get affected, while tea cultivation too could be affected. Due to this reason, there had been many meetings held, while last was in Copenhagen which also ended without reaching any agreement despite the efforts made as many countries were looking at their own interest.”
He said that it was possible for a country to develop fast, while controlling its emissions. “We are happy that Europe and Japan took the lead on these matters. However, the Paris Climate Talks last year reached a decision. I won’t say that I was 100 percent satisfied with it, but it was a great leap forward. Now the process of ratification has commenced. For ratification requires fifty five percent of the countries with 55 percent of the global emission to ratify the agreement for it to come into force. Although many countries have agreed to it, there are still issues in some of the western countries and also in some of the Asian development economies. While they agree to control emissions, these are major issues coming up when they face the forthcoming elections in western countries this year and next year,” Premier Wickremesinghe said.
He said in this background, it gave us great encouragement that the President of the United States of America and the President of China agreed to ratify the agreement prior to the G 20 Meeting. “Following it, many countries and parliaments have decided to go ahead to ratify the agreement. Sri Lanka is concerned that President Maithripala Sirisena’s manifesto agreed to take all necessary measures to protect the environment. The President has taken over the Environmental Ministry and had taken many measures to protect the environment. So, we have a great responsibility to ratify this agreement. Sri Lanka has the ambition for rapid development, however it should be a green development.
The government has already approved a Sustainable Development Council Bill. It has been sent to the Provincial Councils. I have asked the Provincial Council Minister to expedite the process so that we could debate it and pass it here. Later, we could take other necessary measures. In this background, we have to ratify it quickly, by ensuring that at least by the time the UN General Assembly meets, there would be ample ratifications at the November meeting this year by the time this agreement would come into force. We had discussed this matter with President Maithripala Sirisena. We felt that Parliament should ratify this agreement before President Maithripala Sirisena’s visit to New York for the General Assembly in November. This is the last week that we could sit before the President’s visit to New York”, Premier Wickremesinghe said. “So we moved this agreement.”
Source :10/09/2016 Daily News http://epaper.dailynews.lk/art.asp?id=2016/09/10/pg10_0&pt=p&h=
