Arugambay: Rave parties threaten the survival of elephants
The iconic seaside resort and favourite destination for surfers is at the centre of an environmental emergency. Night-time parties with loud music disturb the herds, causing them to move and putting the lives of residents at risk. Complaints to the police, who often collude with hoteliers hosting tourists, have so far been in vain. Environmentalists are calling for the establishment of protected areas.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - Activists and environmentalists in Arugambay, Sri Lanka's iconic seaside destination and a favourite spot for surfers on the south-east coast, are sounding the alarm: due to the lack of specific laws and the illegal violation of sensitive land and areas, the ‘rave parties’ organised in areas frequented by large herds of elephants pose a threat to wildlife and the unspoilt marine environment.
The uncontrolled and unplanned development along the estuary and in much of the coastal area is also contributing to the emergency. Locals and environmentalists complain about the “nuisance” caused by illegal parties with loud music, which take place from dusk to dawn, disturbing the night-time peace of residents and visitors, as well as the animals, which suffer the most.
Local sources report that the parties often take place in areas frequented by elephants, with bright lights and loud music, which end up disturbing the large mammals, who then move to areas adjacent to Arugambay to escape the noise, endangering the lives of residents.
Although there are fences in the north-western province to restrict animal access, there are still no such protective measures in the Arugambay area specifically, and the population is exposed and at risk of attack.
The presence of elephants is a major attraction for tourists, who flock to the east coast to admire them. However, from an environmental point of view, there are dangers and critical issues, as pointed out by the competent authorities, including officials from the Department of Wildlife.
The primary objective today is to pay greater attention to the protection of the various wooded areas in the region, starting with those that have a significant presence of elephant herds.
One of the most emblematic cases is that of Elephant Rock, a breathtaking rock formation that resembles an elephant from a distance and is a popular spot for sightings, which has become a party location that disturbs the animals' natural habitat. In addition, the estuary is being destroyed because people have built illegal structures by cutting down mangroves, despite strict regulations on unauthorised construction.
Three hotel owners in Arugambay, Thilina Alwis (43), Sampath Tennakoon (40) and Prabath Ranaweera (36), confirm the seriousness of the problem to AsiaNews. "We have been running our hotels in this area since 2012. Local and foreign visitors come to surf and travel during the season.
Most of them stay in our hotels. Sometimes, some groups have organised parties with soft music on certain days without disturbing the neighbours. However, currently, there are rave parties that disturb locals, visitors and wildlife, especially elephants. These parties start at 8 p.m. and last until 5 a.m. the following morning, every day.‘
’Tourists who have been travelling during the day are unable to sleep,‘ continue the Arugambay hoteliers. ’Although we have asked those organising the rave parties to stop, they do not seem to listen to our requests. Even the local school children are affected." In recent days, complaints have been lodged with the authorities, including the police, tourism officials and provincial leaders, in the hope - so far in vain - that they will intervene. ‘Many hotel owners,’ they accuse, ‘bribe the authorities. For this reason, they remain silent.’
According to environmentalists Chrishantha Dissanayaka and Hemanthi Caldera, ‘one of the trendy attractions in Arugambay is Radella Tank and its surroundings, on the border with the Kumbukkan forest, which was declared a protected area in 2009 by the Department of Forest Conservation.’ The area, they continue, is ‘surrounded by three wilderness areas, the Lahugala, Kitulana and Pansalgoda national parks. These territories are frequented by elephants’ and, they accuse, even in the areas adjacent to these parks, ‘rave parties are held’.
Environmentalists Oshantha Herath and Senarath Marasinghe are calling for "Wila Oya, Kuruppan Odai and Heda Oya be protected areas‘ to allow ’the safe passage of elephants and other wild animals‘, thus maintaining ’the long-term survival‘ of herds in the eastern part and ’mitigating the possible causes that could lead to conflict between humans and elephants".
‘The Kumbukkan Oya area is also identified as a critical watershed, providing livelihoods for many people, from farmers to fishermen and vegetable growers. Visitors,’ the experts conclude, ‘should visit these areas with the utmost caution and respect for the wildlife that has made this area its home.’
.png)
30/05/2020 08:00
15/05/2020 09:54
