Land clearing in Attidiya Bird Sanctuary: Haputale Pannarama Thera responds to DM article

Responding to an article published in Daily Mirror regarding an alleged illegal land clearing in Attidiya Bird Sanctuary,  Ven. Haputale Pannarama Thera yesterday said when many environmental violations are taking place in the country including larger encroachments at Attidiya Sanctuary by villagers, a 30 metre land clearing issue in the same sanctuary, shouldn’t be a concern.

The Daily Mirror on January 14 published an article regarding violations of regulations and conditions imposed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) with regard to a block of land attached to the sanctuary. The block of land in extent of 0.7 hectares is adjacent to another land at No.28, D.S. Kahawita Mawatha in Attidiya --- where there is a home for elders which is headed by Pannarama Thera.
“This land is a private property. According to law, both private and state lands be inside a sanctuary. I have all the legal documents for both lands,” the thera said.

The parties led by Pannarama Thera had plans to build a ‘training college’ in the questionable land next to the elders home. Based on their request, The DWC had given them conditional approval to go ahead with the construction. The Daily Mirror reported that most of these DWC conditions have been violated and the current situation has posed a threat to the sanctuary which is rich in marshy lands and water bodies.

The fifth condition given by the DWC categorically states that no constructional activity is allowed within a 30-metre gap from a canal reservation located next to the questionable land. However, the current situation is such that there is not even a 3-metre gap between the canal reservation and a wire fence which has been installed.
Responding to these claims, Pannarama Thera said he had to install a wire fence to protect his land from individuals who were using his land to transport drugs and other illegal narcotics. 

“There are many illegal activities happening in Badowita area. Some people were trying to use my land area to easily transport drugs. I cannot let it happen.”
The thera mentioned another reason as to why he installed a wire fence in the land.
“Villagers in Attidiya have done many encroachments in the lands which belong to the bird sanctuary, yet there is no action against them. I decided to install  a wire fence so that villagers will not take over that area. They have already done many damages to the sanctuary’s lands,” he said.

The thera also said there are several people who are against clearing of this land block and they are creating unnecessary issues by making a huge deal out of this ‘minor matter’. “I love nature. I will not do anything to destroy nature. We have no such harmful intentions. I know the small group of so-called environmentalists, who are voicing against me. They are trying to paint a bad picture about this matter in DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara’s head.”
“I have officially made a request from the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation to allow us for the continuation of this clearing and filling. We are currently waiting for his response,” he added.