A few weeks ago, we read about a group of ‘tourists’ attempting to steal
rare plants from one of our wilderness areas. We also heard the good news of declaration of some
more protected areas. This article written in early 2010, also refer to similar
situations. Eco-thieves and robbers are a phenomenon we know of. Yet, when it is our
own who sell us out as middlemen and sometimes even posing as tour guides that
is a sad situation.
Such eco-thefts associated with tourism must be taken serious note of.
That must include not only the damage done by visiting tourists, but also by
our own domestic tourists. I saw a posting on a Face Book page of wildlife
enthusiasts, calling for all friends of nature to send photos and information
digitally to the Director of Wildlife, to equip him to be able to take swift
action, while also using such information to make his case for stringent action with policy makers. While
this is an excellent idea, this could be done with tourism authorities as well.
Organisations such as the Tour Guide Lecturers Association also can call on its
members to responsibly report incidence of misuse and destruction of our natural
and other heritage resources. Such initiatives should serve us well not only to take punitive
action but also to raise awareness levels on crimes against our national heritage
holding each of those who benefit from them accountable for their protection.
I am reposting this column from April 2010 in the ‘Daily Financial
Times, Sri Lanka’ for your critical thought.
An article in the Arugam Bay Information
website (www.arugam.info) last week, reported of an attempted theft of rare
plants by two tourists. It read thus; “Two
westerners who tried to steal rare plants from the Horton Plains national park
have been fined Rs. 85,000 each by Nuwara Eliya magistrate S. G. Kariyawasam. A
Sri Lankan was fined Rs. 60,000 for helping the couple”.
“It was
revealed that the two Irish nationals had been involved in such thefts during
their previous trips to Sri Lanka too. It was alleged that earlier thefts took
place in Polonnaruwa, Giritale, Arugam Bay, Siyambalanduwa, Sinharaja and
Hakgala national parks”, it further said.
This we
learnt the very next day, upon our hearing the good news that UNESCO added
another area in Sri Lanka under its World Heritage Site listing, in the natural
area category. As tourism professionals we must say “Shame on the likes of
these among tourists”. As for the Sri Lankan who was an accomplice in the task,
it must be “Even more shame on you for attempting to sell your motherland’s
resources for petty gain. The likes of you must not be in the midst of those in
this industry, who are so aware and protective of the pristine resources we
have to support our tourism”.
Our
collective gratitude is due to the rangers and the likes of them who are the
custodians of our wild life parks and other protected areas. They venture to
look after our natural treasures, with much risk to their own lives, most of
the time. This indeed is no easy task. They have, in many instances in the
past, been subject to humiliation by entities; both local and foreign, who have
scant regard for conservation, and behave irresponsibly.
Far too
often, we hear of officials being in difficult situations in the due discharge
of their duties. The cause for their dismay ranges from some errant
politicians, irresponsible visitors to unexpected attacks from other wild
animals. I am of the firm belief that our tourism industry must venture to
support and recognise these individuals, who in fact contribute so much to
ensure that our heritage is well looked after and protected.
It is
also the many determined conservationists who over long years, worked relentlessly
to ensure that these areas remained pristine and intact. As at present, Sri
Lanka’s Heritage Site listing, counts eight areas. A feat, an island of our
size, can indeed be proud about. The Central Highlands listing was described by
UNESCO as consisting “of the Peak Wilderness Protected
Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest”. It
further stated that “these montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500
metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna,
including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur,
the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is
considered a super biodiversity hotspot”.
The message a
listing of a world heritage sites gives is that the area under consideration
does no longer become the responsibility of the nation that hosts the area. It
is the responsibility of whole of mankind for it is now a ‘World Heritage
Site’. It in fact is similar to IUCN’s Red Book listing where species that face
the threat of extinction are cited. I recollect how the former Asian chief of
UNESCO, ‘one who does not mince his words’ Dr. Richard Engelhardt, often lamented
at public forums of policy makers, urging them to ensure that these areas,
sites, species and the environments that support them, were well-looked after.
Our own, former archeology
chief and founder of the Central Cultural Triangle and the then UNESCO
Director-General, Dr. Roland de Silva was also a strong minded heritage conservationist
and was no different. It is the guts and resolve they had, in resisting various
pressures, and their standing firmly on their professional integrity, that
helped destinations like Sri Lanka, to retain these wonders that are today,
admired by many. And there are the other unsung heroes, in the many thousands
of researchers, archeologists, site workers and officials engaged in the
service of conservation, who toiled-on over many years to preserve and protect
these treasures.
We must indeed salute and cheer them on for protecting
our heritage, for it is no easy business that can be achieved in a few months
or even years. There are too many of these doyens to name them here. Many are
not among us today, yet others are. I would recommend that the tourism,
cultural and conservation authorities join hands together to create an annual
award recognition of these unsung heroes. And it is fitting that tourism take
the lead. For if not for them, we would be riding on a one way road to
destruction and denudation of our heritage resources that strongly support our
tourism.
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