DE-FORESTATION AT THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT?
Ministerial frustrations
Honorable C.B Ratnayake, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation was a dejected man a couple of months back because he was at the center of controversy for alleged de-forestation by political goons of his own regime. As he was facing the brunt of the situation, he was indeed left with no alternative. He made some valiant attempts to defend the government in vain at a press conference held at his ministry at that moment. Forest conservation is a subject under his scope of responsibility. But it was his state minister Mr. Wimalaweera Dissanayake who was vested with the authority of running the department of wildlife and forest conservation. As a state minister, Mr. Dissanayake has sweeping powers over Wildlife Conservation Protection Programs Including Electric Fence and Ditch Construction and Re-Forestation and Wildlife Resources Development. In the event of submitting a cabinet paper, it should proceed through the Minister C.B Ratnayake because he is the cabinet minister in charge of the subject. This is the new arrangement with Gotabaya Rajapakse’s government. Unlike in the past, all state ministers have been given responsibilities, scope of work and authority to work for the country. Previously, the state ministers remained just for the name sake or had some assignments at the mercy of their senior minsters. As a result, Minister C.B Ratnayake had to answer for what he has not done in reality and he is being rebuked for no fault of his. Nevertheless, he still vows to retain 29% of country’s forest density without knowing the fact that forest density has been reduced to 16.5 % as at now.
Root cause for allegations
Sri Lanka is a country rich in biodiversity of flora and fauna. Despite Sri Lanka being an island nation, Sri Lanka is home to 10 nature reserves including three strict nature reserves and 61 sanctuaries. The rain forest ‘Sinharaja’ in wet zone has been included as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Besides, Sri Lanka has been named as the best wildlife hotspot outside of Africa by Forbes magazine recently. In fact, our forests are a treasure which our politicos don’t see. The forest density of Sri Lanka in 2017 was 29.7% and within a span of just two years, it has been reduced to 16.5 % in 2019. It is estimated that Sri Lanka is being deprived of its forest canopy at an alarming rate of 1.14 % per year. In other words, the country is losing a mammoth 26,800 hectares per year. Unfortunately, this is being done under the guise of so-called development. Each nature reserve or sanctuary has a peripheral or buffer zone surrounding the enclave. These stretches of lands were previously held by Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation. In a surprise move, the government has transferred the legal jurisdiction of these lands to District and Divisional Secretariats across the country. Therefore, the District/ Divisional Secretaries exercise the powers to transfer outright ownership or lease out these lands to prospective investors for development projects which is mainly instrumental through political influence. A score of wildlife enthusiasts were up in arms against this devastation of forests in the name of development initially. But, the government hinted at revoking the policy in a deceit move but nothing has happened thereafter. So, the defiant voices were silenced, may be in the nexus of other pressing economic issues and raging Covid-19 pandemic in the country at present.
A lone battle against deforestation
Today, Devani Jayatilake is a household name in Sri Lanka. She fought fearlessly to preserve the remaining jungles and biodiversity systems in the country. She, being attached to Department of Wildlife & forest Conservation as a District Forest Officer was in the limelight for fighting a lone battle with politicians to prevent them from indulging in deforestation for development purpose. Some of the heated arguments she had with some of politicians were a hot topic on electronic and social media in recent times. In fact, she was belittled, demeaned and ridiculed by the politicians for going against their wishes. But, she seems to be having a genuine concern for environment. In an exclusive interview she has given to a local newspaper, she offered to exchange her own land in Kegalle for a land in Lankagama adjoining Sinharaja where she plans to donate it to create a parallel forest. What a gesture! In another incident, a popular quiz program contestant Bhagya Abeyratne voiced concerns at environmental destruction of Sinharaja forest and the police called over at her residence within 24 hours to record a statement. This innocent school girl felt intimidated by this act. But, her message was loud and clear. It was heard by the nation at large. Apparently while the politicians backed vandalizing of nation’s forest continues unabated, the environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts are maintaining an eerie silence for the reasons best known to them. Even the department’s high officials keep mum over this issue. This is a pathetic situation which should be addressed by the whole nation in one voice but in doing so, political pressure is too much for them to stomach for sure as it appears.
Forests are the lungs of nature
As a matter of fact, if you happen to travel any of the roads leading to Sinharaja forest, just keep counting the number of trucks carrying chopped logs of trees in a single day. You will be surprised. This is a common sight even on Colombo- Hatton A-4 highway. If deforestation is not happening, where these chopped logs of trees come from? Today, world leaders are concerned about global warming resulting mainly from deforestation. But, Sri Lankan leaders are turning a blind eye on this environmental destruction. A couple of years back, a leading Muslim politician was accused of clearing Wilpattu National Park’s buffer zone. He maintained the fact that he was only regaining traditional home land for his people which was lost to terrorism. The matter ended up in courts which ultimately gave a verdict, ordering him to undertake reforestation at his own cost. Now, SL Army is undertaking this task on his behalf. All in all, it is ‘who is fooling who?’ situation. Sri Lanka’s forests are a treasure trove. The country has three species of BIG 5 namely elephant, leopard and sloth bear. The country can indeed promote eco-tourism in a big way, thus creating job opportunities. This will spur the economy. Sadly, we are destroying our very existence and the right to life instead.
