Death of seven-feet leopard being probed
The Wild Life Conservation Department is probing the death of a seven-feet male leopard in the Deltota, Lulakanda area.
Assistant Forest Range officer G R Dharmarathna told the Daily Mirror that the leopard was found dead on Monday evening following information provided by resident to the area wild life office.
An official from the Wild Life Conservation Department said the carcass of the leopard was handed over to the Peradeniya veterinary surgeon for a postmortem.
He said the reason for the leopard’s death had not been established so far.
The Sri Lankan leopard is a subspecies of leopards native to Sri Lanka that was first described in 1956 by the Sri Lankan zoologist Deraniyagala.
The leopard was listed as an Endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2008 is also an offense to kill, trade or harm a leopard under the Wildlife Act.
Source – DailyMirror, See more at – http://www.dailymirror.lk/134995/Death-of-seven-feet-leopard-being-probed
Unexpected beauty of SRI LANKA’S MANGROVES
Tourism in Sri Lanka – the tropical island nation just a stone’s throw from the tip of southern India – is on an upswing, thanks to thousands of miles of sugar-sand coastline, lush interiors dotted with tea plantations and the mystique of a place that’s still relatively undiscovered.
And while the country’s pristine beaches, not yet overrun with tourists or towering condos, draw budget and luxury travellers alike from around the world, a different kind of coastal tableau – shallow, shore-hugging waters where mangrove forests grow – is not only worth exploring, but a matter of national attention.
In Negombo, a laid-back beach town roughly 20 miles north of the country’s capital, Colombo, tours of the area’s wetlands start across the street from the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre, in the gray-green waters of the Dutch Canal.
This long, narrow waterway was built in the 18th century to transport spices and now links Negombo and Colombo. As the sun sinks towards the horizon, I climb aboard a modest, motorized boat for a 90-minute tour led by Amal Priyankara, a 26-year-old naturalist and Negombo native.
As our boat slowly plies the canal, Priyankara points out birds that, to an untrained eye, are slow to appear among the leaves, branches and brush.
In the 30 or so minutes, it takes us to reach the end of the waterway, we spot white-throated kingfishers, cormorants, graceful green and purple herons, cattle egrets, red lapwings and other colorful birds.
Eventually, our boat arrives at the canal’s northern mouth and moves into the wide-open Negombo Lagoon, a shallow, 3,000-hectare expanse of saline water surrounded by dense, green, leafy growth.
We cruise at a comfortable clip for several minutes, passing the occasional fisherman and school of silver flying fish. With the sky growing pink and gold above us, Priyankara motions to our captain, who sidles the boat up snugly along a thicket of shrubs, their long, narrow roots reaching down into the water like skinny, splayed fingers. Long, green pods with pointed ends dangle from several of the plants’ branches, like javelins waiting to pierce the placid surface.
“Rhizophora mangroves,” says Priyankara, giving a name to the tangle. Sri Lanka is home to 29 species of mangroves. He’s seen 16.
Importance of mangroves
“Mangroves are a really big topic in my country,” he says. “Schools are teaching kids about them.”
Education is key as mangroves play a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s – and the world’s – coastal ecosystem that extends far beyond the aesthetics they bring to a boat tour. They provide critical shelter for young fish (replenishing coral reefs and fisheries, thus facilitating the livelihood of Sri Lankans who fish for a living) and sequester up to 50 times more carbon dioxide than other kinds of forests, making them indispensable in combating climate change.
They also act as a buffer against tropical storms, reducing damage to coastal communities. (Some studies have shown that areas with more substantial mangrove forests fared better during the 2004 tsunami than did communities without them.) But for all their virtues, mangroves are also at risk, having been dangerously depleted in recent decades thanks in large part to the country’s shrimp-farming industry.
“Sri Lanka generally lacks rules and education about the environment,” says Priyankara.
Women leading the way
That’s all changing now, though, thanks to Berkeley, California-based Seacology, which is about halfway through a five-year partnership with Sri Lankan NGO Sudeesa (formerlyknown as the Small Fisher Federation of Lanka) to teach Sri Lankans about the importance of mangroves.
The organizations provide small-business tools and micro loans to 15,000 local women in exchange for their commitment to help conserve, rehabilitate and replant all of the nearly 22,000 acres of mangrove forests that grow along the country’s coasts.
Anuradha Wickramasinghe, chairman of Sudeesa, says that the organizations targets women in particular because “much of the information and direction in households here is funneled down through them.”
Through the organizations’ Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project, women in 14 districts and 1,500 small communities located near mangrove forests complete mandatory three-day training on mangrove conservation, business management and livelihood development before receiving micro loans that allow them to start or expand their own small businesses.
These range from roadside snack bars and grocery markets to drying and selling fish for household cooking to handcrafting rope ties for fishing boats, to name just a few. In 2016, the organizations opened the Seacology-Sudeesa Mangrove Museum on the grounds of Sudeesa’s headquarters in Chilaw – roughly an hour’s drive north of Negombo on Sri Lanka’s west coast – as a place to educate locals, students and ecologically minded tourists about all things mangroves.
Visitors enter the new museum through a spacious theater where a film offers insight into the ecology, plight and conservation of Sri Lanka’s mangroves.
Inside the sunlit exhibit hall, visitors find dozens of species of mangrove-dwelling creatures – carefully preserved and neatly displayed in jars and on shelves – plus diagrams and illustrations depicting everything from different types of mangroves to the plants’ eco-mechanics.
On nearby Colombo Road, dozens of the program’s micro-loan recipients gather daily in a small, open-air marketplace to sell their wares – fresh fruit and vegetables, packaged local spices, terracotta garden pots, colorful clothes, and handicrafts, among other goods. “We feel very proud,” several of the women say of their business achievements.
Support from Sri Lanka’s Navy
Seacology’s and Sudeesa’s reach within Sri Lanka is extensive. The organizations also run a Northern Regional Centre in Mannar, in the country’s quiet, war-ravaged north, where many of the women who cycle through the program are conflict widows. As in Chilaw, the Mannar facility is home to a mangrove nursery (there are three nurseries in total throughout the groups’ facilities), where seedlings are nurtured and prepped for replanting in wild coastal habitats.
And farther north still, near Jaffna, Seacology and Sudeesa are working with Sri Lanka’s Navy to replant mangroves and to spread the word about conservation throughout the surrounding communities.
Together, the Navy, Seacology, and Sudeesa have planted about 38,000 mangroves around Sri Lanka. For the officers who were enlisted then, this life – marked by conservation and community outreach – is a far cry from the tense civil war that raged here less than a decade ago.
Back on Negombo Lagoon, the sky starts to darken, and it’s time for our tour to end. As we motor away from the mangroves, I take a last look over the side of the boat, marveling at all of the life that the mangroves sustain – both under water and on land. Making our way back toward the Dutch Canal, Priyankara explains that the mangrove ferns that make up the foundation of several small islands within the lagoon were, for a time, on the country’s ‘RedList’, an ominous marker of conservation status for Sri Lankan flora and fauna.
But thanks to protective measures put into place in recent years, they’re now on the rebound and off that list. Surrounded by the lush beauty of Negombo Lagoon, one can’t help but hope that, as tourism continues to flourish in this tiny island country, so, too, do its precious mangroves.
CNN
Source – Nation, see m,ore at – http://nation.lk/online/2017/08/12/unexpected-beauty-of-sri-lankas-mangroves.html
Wildlife officers rescue ‘Fishing Cat’ from well
Wildlife officers from the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s (DWC) Sigirya office have managed to successfully rescue a large Fishing Cat (Handun Diviya) which had fallen into a well at Digampathana in Dambulla.
The incident took place yesterday (17). Villagers had seen the Fishing Cat fallen inside the well unable to get out. They had at first tried to rescue the animal themselves, but given the danger involved to the animal and themselves, had alerted wildlife officers.
DWC officers had arrived within minutes and had managed to successfully pull the animal out of the well using a noose made of wire. The Fishing Cat had then freed itself from the noose and fled into the jungle.
Source – 18/08/2017, TimesOnline, see more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1029810/wildlife-officers-rescue-fishing-cat-from-well
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park initiates steps to bring 10 different species including Pygmy Hippo from Colombo
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has initiated steps to bring 10 different species of wild animals and birds from Israel, Colombo, Germany, Czech Republic and Japan zoos this year, the Deccan CHronicle reported.
Zoo curator B. Vijaya Kumar was quoted as saying plans were underway to bring a Pygmy Hippopotamus from Colombo. Further, he said other animals would be Chapman Zebra, Oliver Baboon from Israel, Fishing cat, Red Necked Wallabies, Scarlet Macaw, Military Macaw from the Czech Republic and Greater Flamingos from Japan would be brought to the zoo park in this fiscal only.
Under the International Animal Exchange Programmes, zoos can bring inmates from other places after obtaining permission from Central Zoo Authority. “Impressed with the vast natural habitat of the zoo, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) had shown interest to give four zebras,” he said.
Source – 16/08/2017,TimesOnline, See more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1029638/indira-gandhi-zoological-park-initiates-steps-to-bring-10-different-species-including-pygmy-hippo-from-colombo
Sri Lanka, it’s high time for a Green Revolution
Sri Lanka, once identified at a time known granary of the East, is now almost reliant on imported food items. The unfolding problematic situation arose due to the considerable decline in domestic food production. As the global food crisis deepens due to various reasons, including armed conflicts, macro-economic collapses and natural disasters like droughts, many countries have started focusing on domestic food production. Sri Lanka’s agriculture-still being considered the most important yet- is a less encouraged sector that needs to undergo a transformation. Senior Social Scientist and Former Head of Sociology Department of the Colombo University Prof. Siri Hettige described this transformation as a ‘Green Revolution’. During an interview with the Daily Mirror, Prof. Hettige outlined the importance of taking the necessary actions to improve the productivity of the domestic agriculture sector. He said that this should be backed by investment on research, new scientific methods of farming and appropriate policy changes with the ultimate goal being known as the granary of the East again. Further, he aired his views on the significance of replacing non-bio degradable materials with bio-degradable materials which he said will solve the long-standing waste management issue and create a healthy environment.
How serious issues were dealt with
In the 1960s, the green revolution was a major policy response of many developing countries like Mexico, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. This was their response to a number of serious issues in traditional agriculture including low productivity, vulnerability of farmers, poverty and malnutrition. Consequently, agricultural scientists and others were exploring various ways to improve the small scale agriculture sector and the quality of lives of rural farmers. The change was made by introducing a range of new agricultural technologies.
Following decolonization, the population increased in many ex-colonial countries where there was stagnation of traditional agriculture. These countries faced a need to improve the conditions in rural areas since people were moving away from these areas, making the cities unmanageable. The Governments of such developing countries advocated certain interventions which were quite different to techniques used in large-scale industrial agriculture in countries like the United States. The new package that was introduced by the Governments included new seed varieties, new agricultural techniques like planting and mechanical type technologies. All these new methods gradually improved productivity of the lands. Consequently, the people had a much bigger yield whilst poor living conditions of farmers and issues caused by scarcity were addressed. The green revolution was backed by research conducted by newly established research stations.
Adopting a new green revolution in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka and other countries need a new type of green revolution in response to a much bigger challenge we face at present; unsustainable development and unsustainable consumption. Development is taking place almost everywhere, but not in a sustainable manner. Correspondingly, there is unsustainable consumption. Both have resulted in major issues that are prevailing in the world such as climate change and the increasing disaster situations.
Slow onset disasters like floods and droughts appear to be sudden events. Nevertheless, they are part of a long- term trend. Accumulation of toxic waste is another problem. Some industrial products contain harmful substances. Such toxic materials end up in our food chain, water ways and even in the ocean. Some of the materials, that we have got used to, pose huge challenges in terms of disposal, pollution of the water ways, soil structure and the environment.
The main reason for this situation is the expansion of the industrial civilization, beyond the boundaries of traditional industrialized countries. The expansion of the industrial civilization has affected production and consumption of goods and services at an unprecedented rate.
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Scientists should come up with bio degradable materials which are as good as plastics.
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We have an artificially created labour problem.
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Well-to-do people should use surplus of their income to create employment.
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In India, green revolution made a huge impact.
Improving rural agriculture
Owing to the fact that Sri Lanka has been moving away from rural agriculture, there are thousands of acres of abandoned lands in all parts of the country. These lands can be used to produce raw materials for new income-generating industries that can produce substitutes for things that we have to replace like plastic bags, containers and many household items. Farmers should be encouraged to produce biodegradable material and be given science and technological know-how to do so. Once rural industries are initiated and developed, a large portion of imported items can be produced within the country. This way job opportunities will also be created. In other words, a whole new value chain can be established involving a whole range of public and private institutions. A significant part of the local population can get involved in this endeavour.
It will also eventually help to minimize rural-urban migration. Sri Lanka can’t continue to add more people to the cities. Cities are already over-crowded; people have lost open space. They should live in a healthy environment with clean air and open space. Development shouldn’t be confined to one place, but be dispersed.
In the 1960’s, many developing countries focused on how to improve the rural agriculture sector. In fact, traditional agricultural methods were not very productive. The seeds used weren’t high yielding. The output of grain that was produced on a unit of land was very low. Later, fertilizers and agro-chemicals were introduced. In India, a green revolution made a huge impact thus improving the living conditions of millions of people. But it also led to population increase.
Artificially created labour surplus
Labour migration can also be addressed through the green revolution. In fact, some people will anyway migrate for personal reasons. At least people won’t migrate just to make a living if job opportunities are created within the country. If the country provides social protection, decent working circumstances and favourable living conditions, Sri Lankans will be better off here and wouldn’t have to find employment abroad.
In such a circumstance, the labour within the country can be made use of. Sri Lanka doesn’t have a labour surplus. It’s just that Sri Lanka has an artificially created labour problem which has existed since the time people weren’t deployed in a reasonable way. This problem is attributable to the mismanagement of public finances. This issue exists not because people are leaving the country, but due to decision makers in the country being short-sighted.
Growing inequality
The country at present has so much inequality as it doesn’t effectively re-distribute income. What do the rich people do with their money? Are they responsible? If they are socially responsible entrepreneurs, they should create more employment opportunities. They can do this using their surplus of income for the purpose of contributing to the development of the country. There is no reason to have inequality in a country where we have seen economic growth and decreasing unemployment. On the other hand, globalization can’t continue unchecked. It has to be balanced by some degree of localization. In other words, both production and consumption have to be localized as much as possible. When it comes to the whole problem of globalization, everyone in the society has a role to play.
Concerns over non-bio degradables
Industrial products weren’t used for household needs in the past. Hundred years ago, there were few industrial products in this country. However, we are worried about such products today. Cleaning utensils like brooms and many other things were all made of natural materials. To begin with, Sri Lanka has to identify the things that can be easily replaced.
Excluding paper and cardboard which might be harmless in the long run, plastic and other synthetic materials could pose huge threats unless they are recycled in an effective manner or replaced by products made of natural material. In fact, plastic is very convenient and durable. The challenge for Sri Lankans is to move away from some of these materials and replace them with bio-degradable materials.
The question is whether it’s possible for scientists to do their experiments and come up with bio degradable materials which are as good as plastic. But, what exists is a much bigger process starting with a national policy, institutional development and the facilitation of the development of an entirely new value chain; production and processing of raw materials, design and manufacture, distribution and marketing and use and safe disposal.
If the Government is going to ban plastic, they need to find alternatives. The Government can’t simply ban plastic and ignore the consequences. Options should be suggested when getting rid of something. However, everything can’t be replaced. We don’t have to eliminate some materials, but such products can be reduced, reused and recycled.
No one can have 100% percent control over the use of non-biodegradable materials. Instead of using plastic bottles, why can’t we use glass, ceramic or stainless steel bottles? Why can’t people use bags made of natural fibres, clothes or paper instead of polythene? People give priority only to convenience, not to what is healthy.
This is a challenge which should be taken up by everyone including the educational authorities. There are urgent things like curriculum development, training of teachers, skill development and the creation of opportunities to acquire new knowledge. Everybody should fulfill he/she responsibilities to overcome these issues. This is an area where public and private partnerships can make a huge difference.
Targeting market of millions
There are problems of affordability in Sri Lanka as many people struggle to meet their basic needs. If things made of bio-degradable materials are quite expensive, the solution is to make them affordable. This can be done through large scale production, because then the price of a unit will drop. As Sri Lanka is a country with twenty million people, theoretically, this nation can produce anything in millions, even for the domestic market.
If people get familiar with alternatives to plastic like clothe, reed and paper, there will be a continual demand for such products. This shift will ensure that production will rise, reducing the price of a unit. If production takes place in large volumes- targeting the entire population of the country- the demand will bring the price down. Even a Pettah market vendor knows this theory. Nonetheless, there is a need to strengthen a whole range of institutions which will facilitate production and encourage the use of bio-degradable materials so that there won’t be any scarcity.
Farmers need assistance
Farmers who are struggling to make a living can’t survive with their own devices. They need to be assisted by specialist institutions led by the leaders of innovation. There should be cooperatives and organizations that can assist farmers. Many rural women, who are left behind, will be able to play a major role in the new green economy for their own benefit as well as that of the country and the environment.
At present, children are pushed by the system only to graduate through regular schools and universities. Eventually, many of them don’t come up with useful ideas for their future. This is the result of responsible adults not getting the children to start thinking from the early childhood. If they do, they will have innovative minds to meet global challenges by the time they graduate from schools and universities. Computer assisted design is one area that can open up many opportunities for youth.
Unfortunately, Sri Lankans are far away from innovation. Instead, they are using whatever materials they have and contributing to the problem. However, many other countries have often played their roles. It’s high time that Sri Lankans stop sitting and relaxing. East Asian countries, as a result of their pragmatism and entrepreneurship, have always come up with new products because they have allocated substantial public finances for education, research and the science sectors.
People’s responsibility
The main point is that the country has to move towards a greener economy which demands people to produce and consume responsibly. The potential change can be revolutionary or transformative and unprecedented. To meet these challenges, we require a major shift in the way we think and live. We can’t consume things in the way we do right now. While getting rid of certain things, we have to start embracing certain new things, which aren’t widely used today.
A greener future will be healthier, sustainable, human friendly and more acceptable while also addressing prevailing social and economic imbalances. What we discussed today is a small part of the green revolution that is yet to happen here and elsewhere. Nevertheless, the new green revolution will be very creative, so it isn’t going back, but having a combination of what nature can offer together with scientific knowledge. This revolution will touch and enrich the lives of everyone in the country irrespective of differences among people.
The Government should take a policy decision in this regard in order to take the initiative and provide the necessary policy support. There should be consensus among all social groups to implement it. Other stakeholders should be in line to support the implementation of the policy. There is a role to be played by intellectuals who could bring people altogether and make them aware of the potential transformation. Scientists also have a major role to play in making the transformation possible. Basically, all should get together and take the necessary steps for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Source – DailyMirror, See more at – http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Sri-Lanka-it-s-high-time-for-a-Green-Revolution-134696.html
Letters to the Editor
Look beyond fumigation and burning garbage to tackle dengue menace
It was reported that from the beginning of July, thousands of soldiers, airmen and sailors have supported the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) in a house-to-house campaign to identify mosquito breeding areas and take corrective measures.
I live in Kochchikade (Negombo) and, alas, I have hardly seen attempts to identify mosquito breeding places in my area- no officials have visited my or neighbouring premises, although there were many people in the area affected by dengue. Somebody said households would be inspected on July 12 and if a mosquito breeding place was found, the owners of the premises would be liable to a fine of Rs. 50.000,000. No officials turned up but, everybody tried to clean their surroundings by lighting massive fires and burning all accumulated rubbish, plastic items included.
A couple of days later, there was a thundering sound and from a cloud of smoke, like in one of those Doomsday films (Apocalypse now), appeared a ghastly figure with a mask and a menacing looking fogging device. I was told to go inside my house and close the door. I obeyed but later on I wanted to find out whether that fogging had any effect on the mosquito population. Half an hour later, around six p.m., the first mosquitoes flew into the house and I managed to kill them with an electric mosquito swatter. Next morning, as I usually sleep with an open window under a mosquito net, I found and killed some 30 more of them.
The Daily Mail of September, 2016
There is data which suggests that mosquitoes have become resistant to the chemicals used in fumigation and may not die. Furthermore, fogging kills other insects that feed on mosquitoes. Dengue has to be controlled at the larval stage. It is commendable that the Sri Lankan government decided to seek foreign help in fight against dengue and is ready to introduce a new method to rein in dengue.
Many Sri Lankans, believe that burning rubbish, including plastics, can deter mosquitoes. This is an illusion and therefore, the media, governmental bodies, schools and other public institutions should educate people about the menace of burning plastic items in their gardens. It is indisputably proven that burning plastics emits carcinogenic, toxic smoke and causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and sometimes cancer.
S. Mack
Via email
Engineers’ protest against new power plan lacks professionalism
In a letter to the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya on July 27, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers’ Union (EU) has demanded the urgent intervention of the minister to get the CEB to facilitate the unhindered procurement of future power plants as per its Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP). Extracts of this letter were published in the media, in a press article, which reported that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers’ Union (EU) allegedly levelled several allegations against the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) in respect of its decision to reject the CEB’s Long Term Generation Expansion (LTGE) Plan and recommending an alternative Plan comprising natural gas operated power plants in place of coal power plants as proposed by the CEB.
Among these allegations are:
1. PUCSL lacks people of proven calibre who will function objectively and in a professional manner.
2. PUCSL has no discretionary powers to amend the submitted plan on its own.
3. PUCSL’s action in approving the LCLTGEP 2018-2037 of the CEB is totally unsatisfactory.
The concerns raised by CEB in the said letter, that PUCSL is not staffed by “people of proven calibre who will function objectively and in a professional manner”, is a matter of dispute taking into consideration the fact that the recommendation made by the PUSCL, balances the health and safety of the very people whose energy demands are being met with the LCLTGEP 2018-2037. This decision boasts of the holistic approach by the PUCSL as opposed to the short sighted approach of this concentrated group of highly respected professionals making these allegations. Further to this, the CEBEU states that they “had no other option but to resort to trade union action to safeguard their membership and the sector from such individuals”.
One wonders why the CEBEU as a trade union feels their membership will get affected when decisions are being made to humanize the issue and for the betterment of the community as a whole?
It is accepted that professionals express an opinion supported by scientific facts and giving sound reasoning in rejecting and/or accepting the opinion of another. Therefore one would expect the CEBEU to also reveal as to why they reject this decision of the PUCSL, without resorting to levelling allegations against a parallel public institution in what reeks strongly of prejudice.
The press release claims that the PUCSL has not acted according to the provisions in the Electricity Acts. But the fact is that it is the CEB who has violated the provisions in the Electricity Act in preparing its LTGE Plan. The Amended Electricity Act No. 31 of 2013 says “For the purpose of this section- “Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan” means a plan prepared by the transmission licensee and amended and approved by the Commission on the basis of the submissions made by the licensees and published by the Commission, indicating the future electricity generating capacity requirements determined on the basis of least economic cost”.
The CEB’s LTGE Plan has been prepared based on the cost of production incorporating the amortized capital cost, operation and maintenance costs and fuel cost only. There is no economic component taken into account, obviously because being engineers, CEB staff may not have any knowledge of economics to prepare a Plan based on least “economic” cost. Hence, before protesting against the PUCSL Plan, the least the CEB EU could do at this stage is to consult an economist and find out how to include “economic” cost into their equation. Since the draft Plan submitted by CEB to the PUCSL does not conform to the country’s law as it is not based on least “economic” cost, it is not legal and no one can enforce it.
The bottom line is that when the economic component is added, the least cost option shifts from coal power to gas power. If the CEBEU opposes to gas power for future generation for whatever the reasons, they should come out with it giving valid reasons as professionals, without threatening to strike.
Source – 13/08/2017, The Sunday Times, see more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170813/plus/letters-to-the-editor-2-254334.html
Handy guide to Sri Lanka’s reptiles
There is a long string of publications focusing on nature not only linked to Sri Lanka but also the region.The latest to ‘roll off the presses’ from John Beaufoy Publishing based in Oxford, England, are herpetological titles including ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to the Reptiles of Sri Lanka’ by Anslem de Silva and Kanishka Ukuwela. The guide will be launched next month at the International Book Fair.
This 176-page paperback is filled with colour images, 300 in all, and may be ordered from Vijitha Yapa Publications on www.vijithayapa.com.
It is described as an easy-to-use identification guide to the 150 species of reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles, most commonly found in Sri Lanka, with their features, distribution, habitat and habits given in detail. An overview of the climate, vegetation, folklore and snake-bite management is also part of the guide.
A complete checklist of the reptiles in the country along with their status, both regionally and internationally, is available within its pages.
John Beaufoy Publishing is an independent book publisher which specializes in the fields of natural history, travel and adventure, with a focus on the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean: The parts of the world lying between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
Source – 13/08/2017, The Sunday Times, See m,ore at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170813/plus/handy-guide-to-sri-lankas-reptiles-253976.html
Punishing drought takes heavy toll across Puttalam district
The Puttalam district is experiencing its worst ever drought in the past four and a half decades – and the residents suffering from its devastating effects lament the Government’s assistance is woefully inadequate.
Thabbowa: Dead monkeys on tree tops
A Sunday Times investigation found that the drought has affected more than 164,000 people in 14 of the district’s 16 divisions. The Disaster Management Center’s (DMC) Puttalam office has deployed 17 water bowsers to distribute drinking water to the residents, whereas the situation demands at least double that number to meet the drinking water requirement of the residents. According to DMC’s own admission, at least another 19 bowsers are needed.
District Secretary N.M.N. Chitrananda said the most pressing problem faced by officials engaged in providing drinking water to the affected people was that even the few remaining water sources were fast drying up As such, he said he had instructed divisional secretaries to dig wells at the bottom of dried up water tanks. Permission has also been granted to construct tube wells, overruling objections raised by the Water Resources Board, he said.
The drought, now into its ninth month, has also dealt a severe blow to the economic life of the people who make a living out of cultivation. About 1,250 of the district’s 1,300 small irrigation tanks have now dried up. The water levels of the district’s two main reservoirs at Inginitimitiya and Thabbowa have decreased drastically. Paddy cultivation is at an all-time low while subsidiary crops such as betel, bananas and tea have also been virtually wiped out.
In Nawagattegama, more than100 betel fields have been affected. As a result, about 500 daily paid labourers have lost their jobs, Divisional Secretary R.P.G. Podineris said.
Those engaged in inland fishing said they would also be jobless soon if the drought continued.
Also hit by the punishing drought are dairy farmers. With grazing areas fast dwindling and water in short supply, farmers struggle to keep their cattle alive.
According to North Central Province’s Department of Animal Production and Health, some 50,000 cattle in the Puttalam district are at risk due to severe food and water shortages.
The prolonged drought has also severely disturbed the region’s eco-system. Forest areas are scattered with the carcasses of wild animals which died agonising deaths without water. Bodies of dead monkeys on trees are a common sight.
Source – The Sunday Times, See more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170813/news/punishing-drought-takes-heavy-toll-across-puttalam-district-254390.html
Welcome rain brings some relief, but not enough to end drought
While torrential rains this week brought much needed relief to several drought-hit regions, officials warned that the drought itself is set to continue at least until the beginning of October.
Nuwara Wewa, Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Mullaitivu districts all received heavy rainfall over three days this week, resulting in significant improvement in some areas affected by drought. The most striking example was in the Trincomalee district. The Disaster Management Center’s (DMC) statistics issued a week ago on August 5 noted that nearly 141, 000 persons from more than 37, 000 families in the district were affected by the drought. This number has fallen to 36, 000 people from 10, 700 families as of yesterday (August 12). “The rains have significantly improved the situation in the Trincomalee district,” DMC’s Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili, the told the Sunday Times. Mr Kodippili however, warned that there were still no signs that the drought was abating.
The rains “aren’t enough” and besides Trincomalee, the situation in most other areas remained the same, the official stressed.
The main problem continues to be a severe shortage of drinking water. Mr Kodippili explained the DMC has been distributing drinking water to drought-affected areas for the past eight months using about 500 bowsers, 200 of which were sent into service within the past two months as the drought became more intense. About 6000 water tanks have also been delivered to affected areas.
More than 1.24 million people from over 360, 000 families in 19 districts were affected by the drought as of yesterday, according to the DMC. Kurunegala district remained the worst with 200, 000 being affected, up from 151, 000 a week ago. This meant almost 60, 000 families. Puttalam district with over 164, 000 affected people was next. Jaffna District saw 128, 652 persons affected while the number in Mulliativu stood at 115, 308. Between 85, 000 to 90, 000 persons were affected in each of the districts of Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar.
Mahakumbukkadawala: Waiting for potable water
Meteorology Department Director K.H.M.S Premalal observed that water was still scarce in most drought-hit areas despite the rains this week. “We have to remember that many tanks in the affected areas have either run dry or their water levels have dropped considerably,” he pointed out. There has to be a prolonged period of heavy rain for the effects of the drought to diminish, and such rains are only expected towards the end of September when the inter-monsoonal rains become active, he added.
Inter-monsoonal rains generally account for 30 per cent of the country’s total rainfall and their effectiveness will be vital in ending the drought period, Mr Premalal noted.
The Irrigation Department has 73 major tanks coming under its purview. The total balance water availability of these tanks has now fallen to just 14 per cent, Wasantha Bandara Palugaswewa, Director of Irrigation (Water Management & Training) disclosed. “Many smaller tanks have run completely dry.”
Nevertheless, the Department had been able to release water adequate to cultivate about 50 per cent of paddy lands due to be cultivated during the ‘Yala’ season, Mr Palugaswewa claimed. “Despite the difficulties, we were able to release water for cultivation purposes and we are now at the tail end of the Yala season.” Water was still being released from certain large tanks in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.
Mr. Palugaswewa added that heavy rains which were experienced in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa this week was an encouraging sign and said officials were hoping for more of the same.
The drought has also impacted hydropower generation. However, some heavy rains were also experienced this week in areas where hydropower reservoirs are located. Maussakale, Castlereigh, Kotmale, Norton Bridge, Canyon, Lakshapana and Kukuleganga hydropower reservoirs received rains this week. This has resulted in total water levels of hydropower reservoirs reaching 39.6 per cent by yesterday, up from about 36.4 per cent two weeks ago, Director (Development) of the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardena stated. This however, is only a minor increase, he insisted.
At present, just 20 per cent of the country’s daily electricity demand is being met by hydropower. The balance 80 per cent is being generated mainly by diesel and coal power.
Thabbowa: Dead tortoise
Meegaswewa: Providing drinking water for hard-hit wild animals
Dried up tank in Kalpitiya. Pix by Athula Bandara, Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe and Karuwalagaswewa Jayaratna
Source – 13/08/2017, The Sunday Times, See more at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170813/news/welcome-rain-brings-some-relief-but-not-enough-to-end-drought-254393.html
Explosives killing hundreds of elephants, protection handicapped
A four-year-old elephant, which had suffered severe injuries after biting an explosives-packed device used to hunt wild animals for human consumption is fighting for its life.
The illegal device commonly known as —‘hakka pattas’ — a mixture of explosives with lead and ball bearings inserted into a piece of pumpkin had been placed in a location in Hambantota. It is at that site where the wounded animal had been found nearly two weeks after the incident.
The explosion had mutilated its jaw bones, teeth, and ripped off a foot long piece of trunk. The animal is being treated at the Elephant Transit Home Udawalawe.
Veterinary surgeon, Dr Malaka Abeywardena told the Sunday Times that even after three days of treatment, there had not been any improvement as of Friday.
“Due to the damage to the jaw and teeth of the elephant calf it has to take liquid food. It is malnourished and weak making anaesthetised surgery impossible.’’
Dr Abeywardena said that that the calf would have roamed near Hambantota harbour for over a week after being wounded. The animal’s mouth and the side of it’s head was infested with maggots.
“Antibiotics are given twice a day, while saline, energy boosting medicine and vitamins are given regularly,’’ he said.
Incidents of elephants being killed by using hakka patas, shooting them or poisoning them are on the rise.
Within the last five years, from 2012 to 2016 around 1,171 elephants have died out of which only 104 had died due to natural causes, according to the Wildlife Department.
The survey on the elephant population done in 2011 revealed that the number of elephants in the country around 5,800.
Statistics show that during last year alone 279 elephants were found dead and only 35 of them had died due to natural causes.
Dr Tharaka Prasad, director of wildlife health at the Wildlife Department as well as the chief veterinary surgeon, said more deaths take place because of gun shot wounds.
He said that a tusker and another elephant suffering from gunshot injuries are struggling for their lives in Kala Wewa, Anuradhapura and in Minneriya respectively.
“Elephants which are shot can only be identified when the animal shows signs of weakness or seen limping towards a pool of water. Its too late then as it is badly infected by that time,’’ he said.
Dr Prasad noted instances of elephants wounded by trap guns set up by farmers and surviving for years after the wounds heal, but the corrosion of the iron balls embedded in their flesh, kills them eventually.
He explained that some farmers kill elephants by using toxic pesticide in vegetables. Electric fences can also kill elephants in minutes or within days.
The explosion had mutilated the baby elephant’s jaw bones, teeth, and ripped off a foot long piece of trunk. Pix by Rahul Samantha Hettiararchchi
“At least three elephants are found dead every week. If an animal that has been poisoned, eaten hakka patas, or has suffered burn injuries from an electrical source, is found alive, there is little chance to save it,’’ he explained.
There are 15 wildlife veterinary surgeons, but their main task is to handle any epidemic situation in wildlife parks and not individual cases.
Meanwhile, wildlife rangers, guards and officials from various parks spelt out the difficulties that they face in elephant conservation. There is not enough staff for monitoring, for raids, to investigate those who set explosives, or those who leave poisoned food in the paddy fields bordering forests.
There is also not water in Galagmuwa, Giribawa, Hambantota, and Meegalawa because of the drought. Water is brought in by tanker trucks only into some areas.
“The elephants which roam in search of water take down electric fencing and enter villages.The villagers shot them,’’one of them said.
The lack of staff means they have to call up the unarmed Civil Defence Force to help. They are not trained to handle wildlife issues.
The rangers also claimed that some elephants are wounded by their own officers because they use live ammunition, not rubber bullets.
Director general of the DWC, M G C Sooriyabandara, said that over 65% of elephant deaths are caused by shooting.
Elephants who fall victim to hakka pattas could suffer for over three months and starve to death.
Mr Sooriyabandara said that use of hakka pattas within or outside of wildlife reserves is illegal, but detection is difficult.
“According to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance any person who kills or harms any protected animal is liable to a jail term and or a fine of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000.
Mr Sooriyabandara admitted that the DWC is short staffed, but said offenders can be arrested.
He denied that live ammunition is used and explained that rubber bullets are provided to officers for emergencies.
“We never encourage officers to shoot animals. We never provide live ammunition, but if individuals are using them we will investigate.’’
Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, said he wants to find the companies making firecrackers that provide people with gunpowder to produce hakka pattas.
If animals continued to suffer, new laws will have to be drafted to restrict gunpowder issued to villagers, he said.
Mr Perera said that the department needs at least 1,000 officials. He had informed the cabinet that 200 people are urgently needed.
Source – 13/08/2017, The Suinday Times, See more at – http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170813/news/explosives-killing-hundreds-of-elephants-protection-handicapped-254356.html
