What once seemed to catch public interest, from the destruction of Wilpattu to Sinharaja, now appears to be an everyday tale for the average Sri Lankan. 
Verité Research confirms that the country’s current forest coverage is at a feeble 29.2%, while 40% of Sri Lanka’s wetlands have already been lost due to the aftereffects of disorganised urbanisation.
Uruwarige Wannila Aththo, a chief of the indigenous Vedda community, has filed a petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the rabid land clearance projects at Pallebedda-Rambakan Oya. Forest Conservation Assistant Divisional Officer Devani Jayathilaka, who was on the frontlines of securing a key mangrove patch in the Negombo lagoon, is reportedly under investigation for her “misconduct” of speaking out about the endangered Crudia Zeylanica tree without prior approval from the related department. Amidst long standing cries of masses of conservationists, environmentalists and wilderness enthusiasts, petitions and campaigns and all, seem to be discarded as “non-essential concerns” by the governing body, as noted with regard to developments henceforth observed.
Speaking to individuals who hold the ecosystem near and dear to their hearts, The Sunday Morning uncovered diverse points of view on the current situation with regard to the rampant state of deforestation and land grabbing in the island.
Wreaking irrevocable damage
Anjali Watson, Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) Ecologist and Managing Trustee
This is an issue to be concerned about; once an area of forest or “abandoned land” as it is termed, when in actuality it is often scrub forest, is cleared, it is an immediate and irrevocable loss. Many parcels of such land across the country are undergoing this “clearing” and in a small island like ours with limited land space, this is a definite issue. It is poor agricultural productivity of existing agricultural lands that is the issue – and not the lack of land for agri purposes.
Also, many of these lands are vital buffer and connector areas to larger wilderness, and/or are areas in and around waterways. So their “clearing” results in a cascade of harmful scenarios to overall ecosystems. It is thus a counter-productive action to have such haphazard land clearing occuring. It is intact systems that allow for agriculture to be productive because of the varied services they provide, such as water, micro climate stability, pollination, etc. We need to be aware of this and think on a larger landscape level. Small scale, and not large scale, agriculture is what works here and our ancestors knew this well. We must not forget.
Investigation is required
Dominic Perera, Conservationist, Activist, and Justice to Animals and Nature Director
Deforestation is the most critical and concerning issue we're faced with today. As of 2000, 60% of Sri Lanka was natural forest cover. From 2001-2019, Sri Lanka lost 177kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 4.5% decrease in tree cover since 2000, according to the Global Forest Watch. Post-independence, Sri Lanka had 67% forest coverage. The land grabbing too, is continuing at an unpredictable rate. What is the reason and who is really holding on the strings requires prompt investigation.
Myopic leaders
Ryan Wickramasinghe, Student
I am disappointed and frustrated about the sheer lack of responsibility by the Government in protecting the environment of this island. From dumping waste, deforestation, contaminating waterways, and now selling protected mangroves as well. Ministers who allow the implementation of such damaging projects act as if they care by “inspecting” these damages in front of the media.
As people of this country, we watch and allow these so-called leaders – with no academic background in relation to their respective ministries – control and destroy our home. The priorities of this country in regard to the environment should lie in promoting renewable energy production, reducing pollution and awareness of the public, children and adults alike. We need to stop letting a handful of individuals fill their pockets with illegal kickbacks at the cost of losing balance in a fragile ecosystem, which is equally important for the survival of all living beings, including us humans.
Systemic flaws
Anonymous, Field Guide and University Postgraduate
It is an absolute shame that an island as privileged as Sri Lanka, with a globally-unrivalled ecological diversity and a network of Protected Areas (PAs), Other State Forests (OSFs), and State Forested Lands (SFLs), has been subject to so much devastation. Government entities such as the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC), and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) are subject to political interference, bureaucratic malpractice, financial deprivation, and manpower shortages by both the Central Government and the Provincial Council governance mechanism. However, they continue to carry out their duties to the wilderness lands under their authority, management, and purview.
Furthermore, ministries such as the Ministry of Lands (MoL), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), and the Ministry of Irrigation (MoI) continue to exert unwanted pressure on both the DWC and DFC, demanding the release of wilderness lands (both within and outside the existing Protected Area Network), to facilitate large scale agricultural, irrigation, and infrastructure development projects, completely ignoring the guidelines and best practices introduced concerning sustainable development and the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This, combined with the politicisation of ground-level issues facing rural communities, has created an atmosphere where illegal deforestation, illicit land grabbing, unsustainable agricultural techniques, rampant poaching, and the recent onset of biopiracy, are being accepted as legally appropriate. The consequence of this continued mentality has seen the destruction of vast swathes of wilderness lands, including within Protected Areas (PAs) such as Dahaiyagala, Kahalla-Pallekele, Sinharaja, Knuckles, Kanneliya, Mahaweli Flood Plains, Lahugala Kitulana, Bakmitiyawa Thibirigolla, Bogahapelessa, and Piduruthalagala, and Other State Forests (OSFs) such as Nilgala, Pallegama-Laggala, and Erathna Gilimale.
It is time we ask ourselves if this is the future that we want – an island devoid of wilderness areas and ecological diversity, or an island that has combined Sustainable Development, Protected Areas (PAs), and Other State Forests (OSFs), with an integrated agricultural component, ensuring that our entire population has access to a future that is rich with natural influence, strengthened food security, and replenishable water supplies for generations to come.
Plunging into a crisis
Representative of Climate Action Now Sri Lanka (CAN SL)
The vast amount of deforestation and land grabbing news that has been reported since late 2019 is undoubtedly concerning.
As a small island highly vulnerable to climate change (Sri Lanka was listed at number 2 in the Climate Risk Index 2018), we should be taking measures to conserve our natural ecosystems to build resilience against climate change, but instead we are doing the opposite. Additionally, these destructions will worsen issues like human-wildlife conflict, water resource depletion, and higher chances of natural disasters like landslides, floods, droughts, and more.
With the Government Circular 2001/01 endangering previously semi-protected “Other State Forests”, which host a number of endemic species and acts as critical wildlife corridors, the natural forest cover of Sri Lanka was placed in a perilous position. Now, with the recent suggestions made by the President to gazette elephant corridors like Dahayyagala to allow cultivation, the “Protected Areas” of the island are also at a great risk of being destroyed.
Currently there are locals protesting against land grabbing all over the island, Hambantota, Rambakan Oya, and Madampe, are few areas where locals have been staging protests over illegal land grabbing and sand mining.
There is no argument in the need of infrastructure development and fulfilling agricultural needs. But at a time, the world is already facing the results of climate change, we should pay better attention to conserving the unique and rich biodiversity of the island. As an island situated close to the equator with a developing economy, there is a chance of our coastal communities being one of the first to face the impacts of ocean warming and sea level rise.
Unfortunately, there's not much research done on these areas to find out the level of impact. Lack of research is one of the biggest problems with conserving biodiversity and ecosystems of Sri Lanka, as without research and data, we are unable to speculate the exact impact of these damages.
But we are seeing the results of short sighted decisions taken by other countries. Oxygen was being sold in India and China not too long ago. The day our people will have to pay for basic commodities like fresh air and water might also not be too far.
We should learn lessons from them and think of how our decisions and actions will impact our future, and other beings that we share this land with. It's absolutely necessary that we adopt a sustainable approach to development. Without trees, wildlife, and other natural resources humanity won't survive long either.
Senseless destruction
Sachin Perera, 27, Travel Designer and Content Writer
The current deforestation trend is definitely getting out of hand. As concerned citizens we are left with nothing but questions, which no one with the authority is willing or capable of answering.
I mean, what's the reason for this blatant destruction of the finite amount of natural resources that we have? It's getting senseless of late, and everyday you hear that hundreds of acres of protected land have been put under the axe – and some of these lands happen to be sanctuaries, national parks and wetlands that are being protected by state laws and international accords!
No valid reasons are put forth as to why these incidents occur and after two or three days, the incidents are swept under the rug. If we look at the most recent incident from the Gampaha district, if it wasn't for the actions of the wildlife official Devanee, those two Crudia Zeylanica trees would have been dozered without remorse.
In a global civilisation such as what we are experiencing right now, development is needed if we're to be on the same page as other nations, but looking at these selfish acts, we have to ask: at what cost? Sri Lanka is truly a land like no other, teeming with biodiversity, which is renowned the world over, but when everything is under control and people start travelling here, what can we show them with a smile on our face? Charred tree stumps? Rotting elephant carcasses? Once-verdant hills, of beauty beyond par, a smoldering mess? In this digital age, we have the rights and the means to raise awareness and save our natural resources which are a privilege to us, the people.
Natura non facit saltus (Latin for ‘nature makes no leaps: In Nature, things change gradually’).
Long past time to act
Sethil Muhandiram, Conservationist
Actually this should be a major concern, since Sri Lanka has a limited amount of forest cover. And every day for a year, we are getting news and information regarding encroachments, deforestation, and land grabbing even from the Colombo District. As a society, it is our duty to protect our nature, because our survival depends on nature.
Sri Lanka lacks environmental literacy, and therefore with bad political influence, misuse of power, and violating laws leads to many environmental issues at the moment. Incidents like those at Anavilundawa, the Dahaiyagala Elephant Corridor, Sinharaja, Pollebedda-Rambakan Oya, Floodplains National Park, and Muthurajawela, are eye-openers regarding the ongoing environmental crisis.
Conservationists observed many ecologically-sensitive places that have vast biodiversity, but released for development projects without consulting. Damaging ecosystems leads to eco-imbalance, and it will impact many species, including humans. Deforestation brings climate change, and incidents like unfortunate natural disasters will rise in coming years.
Authorities should be more mindful when releasing lands to development projects, and they should be able to work according to the environmental policies. Violating acts like the Flora & Fauna Protection Ordinance and the Forest Protection Act gives away precious biodiversity towards destruction. If they are unwilling to protect and unable to carry out conservation programmes, this issue, which is already out of control, will be a major catastrophe that will create huge problems in the coming future.
Environmental destruction has to stop. Otherwise the requirements that we need to live will be gone and the entire human race has to pay the price for the damage we have done.
Verité Research confirms that the country’s current forest coverage is at a feeble 29.2%, while 40% of Sri Lanka’s wetlands have already been lost due to the aftereffects of disorganised urbanisation.
Uruwarige Wannila Aththo, a chief of the indigenous Vedda community, has filed a petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the rabid land clearance projects at Pallebedda-Rambakan Oya. Forest Conservation Assistant Divisional Officer Devani Jayathilaka, who was on the frontlines of securing a key mangrove patch in the Negombo lagoon, is reportedly under investigation for her “misconduct” of speaking out about the endangered Crudia Zeylanica tree without prior approval from the related department. Amidst long standing cries of masses of conservationists, environmentalists and wilderness enthusiasts, petitions and campaigns and all, seem to be discarded as “non-essential concerns” by the governing body, as noted with regard to developments henceforth observed.
Speaking to individuals who hold the ecosystem near and dear to their hearts, The Sunday Morning uncovered diverse points of view on the current situation with regard to the rampant state of deforestation and land grabbing in the island.
Wreaking irrevocable damage
Anjali Watson, Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) Ecologist and Managing Trustee
This is an issue to be concerned about; once an area of forest or “abandoned land” as it is termed, when in actuality it is often scrub forest, is cleared, it is an immediate and irrevocable loss. Many parcels of such land across the country are undergoing this “clearing” and in a small island like ours with limited land space, this is a definite issue. It is poor agricultural productivity of existing agricultural lands that is the issue – and not the lack of land for agri purposes.
Also, many of these lands are vital buffer and connector areas to larger wilderness, and/or are areas in and around waterways. So their “clearing” results in a cascade of harmful scenarios to overall ecosystems. It is thus a counter-productive action to have such haphazard land clearing occuring. It is intact systems that allow for agriculture to be productive because of the varied services they provide, such as water, micro climate stability, pollination, etc. We need to be aware of this and think on a larger landscape level. Small scale, and not large scale, agriculture is what works here and our ancestors knew this well. We must not forget.
Investigation is required
Dominic Perera, Conservationist, Activist, and Justice to Animals and Nature Director
Deforestation is the most critical and concerning issue we're faced with today. As of 2000, 60% of Sri Lanka was natural forest cover. From 2001-2019, Sri Lanka lost 177kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 4.5% decrease in tree cover since 2000, according to the Global Forest Watch. Post-independence, Sri Lanka had 67% forest coverage. The land grabbing too, is continuing at an unpredictable rate. What is the reason and who is really holding on the strings requires prompt investigation.
Myopic leaders
Ryan Wickramasinghe, Student
I am disappointed and frustrated about the sheer lack of responsibility by the Government in protecting the environment of this island. From dumping waste, deforestation, contaminating waterways, and now selling protected mangroves as well. Ministers who allow the implementation of such damaging projects act as if they care by “inspecting” these damages in front of the media.
As people of this country, we watch and allow these so-called leaders – with no academic background in relation to their respective ministries – control and destroy our home. The priorities of this country in regard to the environment should lie in promoting renewable energy production, reducing pollution and awareness of the public, children and adults alike. We need to stop letting a handful of individuals fill their pockets with illegal kickbacks at the cost of losing balance in a fragile ecosystem, which is equally important for the survival of all living beings, including us humans.
Systemic flaws
Anonymous, Field Guide and University Postgraduate
It is an absolute shame that an island as privileged as Sri Lanka, with a globally-unrivalled ecological diversity and a network of Protected Areas (PAs), Other State Forests (OSFs), and State Forested Lands (SFLs), has been subject to so much devastation. Government entities such as the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC), and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) are subject to political interference, bureaucratic malpractice, financial deprivation, and manpower shortages by both the Central Government and the Provincial Council governance mechanism. However, they continue to carry out their duties to the wilderness lands under their authority, management, and purview.
Furthermore, ministries such as the Ministry of Lands (MoL), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), and the Ministry of Irrigation (MoI) continue to exert unwanted pressure on both the DWC and DFC, demanding the release of wilderness lands (both within and outside the existing Protected Area Network), to facilitate large scale agricultural, irrigation, and infrastructure development projects, completely ignoring the guidelines and best practices introduced concerning sustainable development and the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This, combined with the politicisation of ground-level issues facing rural communities, has created an atmosphere where illegal deforestation, illicit land grabbing, unsustainable agricultural techniques, rampant poaching, and the recent onset of biopiracy, are being accepted as legally appropriate. The consequence of this continued mentality has seen the destruction of vast swathes of wilderness lands, including within Protected Areas (PAs) such as Dahaiyagala, Kahalla-Pallekele, Sinharaja, Knuckles, Kanneliya, Mahaweli Flood Plains, Lahugala Kitulana, Bakmitiyawa Thibirigolla, Bogahapelessa, and Piduruthalagala, and Other State Forests (OSFs) such as Nilgala, Pallegama-Laggala, and Erathna Gilimale.
It is time we ask ourselves if this is the future that we want – an island devoid of wilderness areas and ecological diversity, or an island that has combined Sustainable Development, Protected Areas (PAs), and Other State Forests (OSFs), with an integrated agricultural component, ensuring that our entire population has access to a future that is rich with natural influence, strengthened food security, and replenishable water supplies for generations to come.
Plunging into a crisis
Representative of Climate Action Now Sri Lanka (CAN SL)
The vast amount of deforestation and land grabbing news that has been reported since late 2019 is undoubtedly concerning.
As a small island highly vulnerable to climate change (Sri Lanka was listed at number 2 in the Climate Risk Index 2018), we should be taking measures to conserve our natural ecosystems to build resilience against climate change, but instead we are doing the opposite. Additionally, these destructions will worsen issues like human-wildlife conflict, water resource depletion, and higher chances of natural disasters like landslides, floods, droughts, and more.
With the Government Circular 2001/01 endangering previously semi-protected “Other State Forests”, which host a number of endemic species and acts as critical wildlife corridors, the natural forest cover of Sri Lanka was placed in a perilous position. Now, with the recent suggestions made by the President to gazette elephant corridors like Dahayyagala to allow cultivation, the “Protected Areas” of the island are also at a great risk of being destroyed.
Currently there are locals protesting against land grabbing all over the island, Hambantota, Rambakan Oya, and Madampe, are few areas where locals have been staging protests over illegal land grabbing and sand mining.
There is no argument in the need of infrastructure development and fulfilling agricultural needs. But at a time, the world is already facing the results of climate change, we should pay better attention to conserving the unique and rich biodiversity of the island. As an island situated close to the equator with a developing economy, there is a chance of our coastal communities being one of the first to face the impacts of ocean warming and sea level rise.
Unfortunately, there's not much research done on these areas to find out the level of impact. Lack of research is one of the biggest problems with conserving biodiversity and ecosystems of Sri Lanka, as without research and data, we are unable to speculate the exact impact of these damages.
But we are seeing the results of short sighted decisions taken by other countries. Oxygen was being sold in India and China not too long ago. The day our people will have to pay for basic commodities like fresh air and water might also not be too far.
We should learn lessons from them and think of how our decisions and actions will impact our future, and other beings that we share this land with. It's absolutely necessary that we adopt a sustainable approach to development. Without trees, wildlife, and other natural resources humanity won't survive long either.
Senseless destruction
Sachin Perera, 27, Travel Designer and Content Writer
The current deforestation trend is definitely getting out of hand. As concerned citizens we are left with nothing but questions, which no one with the authority is willing or capable of answering.
I mean, what's the reason for this blatant destruction of the finite amount of natural resources that we have? It's getting senseless of late, and everyday you hear that hundreds of acres of protected land have been put under the axe – and some of these lands happen to be sanctuaries, national parks and wetlands that are being protected by state laws and international accords!
No valid reasons are put forth as to why these incidents occur and after two or three days, the incidents are swept under the rug. If we look at the most recent incident from the Gampaha district, if it wasn't for the actions of the wildlife official Devanee, those two Crudia Zeylanica trees would have been dozered without remorse.
In a global civilisation such as what we are experiencing right now, development is needed if we're to be on the same page as other nations, but looking at these selfish acts, we have to ask: at what cost? Sri Lanka is truly a land like no other, teeming with biodiversity, which is renowned the world over, but when everything is under control and people start travelling here, what can we show them with a smile on our face? Charred tree stumps? Rotting elephant carcasses? Once-verdant hills, of beauty beyond par, a smoldering mess? In this digital age, we have the rights and the means to raise awareness and save our natural resources which are a privilege to us, the people.
Natura non facit saltus (Latin for ‘nature makes no leaps: In Nature, things change gradually’).
Long past time to act
Sethil Muhandiram, Conservationist
Actually this should be a major concern, since Sri Lanka has a limited amount of forest cover. And every day for a year, we are getting news and information regarding encroachments, deforestation, and land grabbing even from the Colombo District. As a society, it is our duty to protect our nature, because our survival depends on nature.
Sri Lanka lacks environmental literacy, and therefore with bad political influence, misuse of power, and violating laws leads to many environmental issues at the moment. Incidents like those at Anavilundawa, the Dahaiyagala Elephant Corridor, Sinharaja, Pollebedda-Rambakan Oya, Floodplains National Park, and Muthurajawela, are eye-openers regarding the ongoing environmental crisis.
Conservationists observed many ecologically-sensitive places that have vast biodiversity, but released for development projects without consulting. Damaging ecosystems leads to eco-imbalance, and it will impact many species, including humans. Deforestation brings climate change, and incidents like unfortunate natural disasters will rise in coming years.
Authorities should be more mindful when releasing lands to development projects, and they should be able to work according to the environmental policies. Violating acts like the Flora & Fauna Protection Ordinance and the Forest Protection Act gives away precious biodiversity towards destruction. If they are unwilling to protect and unable to carry out conservation programmes, this issue, which is already out of control, will be a major catastrophe that will create huge problems in the coming future.
Environmental destruction has to stop. Otherwise the requirements that we need to live will be gone and the entire human race has to pay the price for the damage we have done.