News
Three birds fly out of wildlife nest, environmentalists furious
A move by Wildlife authorities to issue licences enabling the capture and sale of certain types of birds has disturbed environmentalists.
They expressed concern after Wildlife Ministry Secretary wrote to Wildlife Department Director General directing him to take necessary measures to issue licences for the capture and sale of three kinds of birds — the rose-ringed Parakeet (Mala Girawa), Wee Kurulla (Scaly-breasted Munia) and Rena Giraw (Ring-necked Parakeet).
The letter was also addressed to the Deputy Director General (legal) of the Department.Environment Conservation Trust Director Sajeewa Chamikara said before such instructions were issued the minister should have got Cabinet approval.
Number 22 of the 2009 amendment to the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance specifically states that wild animals cannot be used for commercial purposes. “This is clearly a violation of the law,” he said, adding that the Ordinance introduced in 1937 was amended eight times and this was the main legal document that protected wild animals.
Birds contribute immensely to the food chain. Encouraging large scale capture will only create instability in the eco system. Instead of authorising the issuance of licences, measures should be taken to stop the capture of these birds and action be taken against people involved in it.
A leading environmentalist, Jagath Gunawardana, pointed out that the capture of these particular species of birds would only make them more vulnerable to the more aggressive parrot species, the Raana Giravu, which invade tree-hole nests of other birds.
The law specifically states that no one can sell birds without a licence, so how can the law be relaxed only for the three species, he asked, adding that the letter should be considered null and void.
When the Sunday Times spoke to a Wildlife Ministry official, he said, the existing order already allowed the capture and sale of these birds and the circular was only meant as a clarification to facilitate those people who made a living by selling these species in the Seeduwa area. They faced constant raids by wildlife authorities and the circular was issued to put an end to the confusion.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Bio-diversity : The diversity of life formsBio-diversity is a word that is commonly heard when the issue of conservation is brought in to discussion. Bio-diversity essentially ...
Into the wilds through a museumMuseums are repositories of knowledge and a window to the past. Sri Lanka has many museums but there was none ...
Inspired by every corner of this islandAgile and graceful cats, multicoloured birds, small frogs and primordial insects move with cautious unselfconsciousness almost completely without traditional reference ...
Return of the comb duckThey were on a fairly routine excursion to spot leopards in Rukwila, Yala National Park on June 21. Lallith Ramanayake ...
Whale-watching guidelinesParliament will on Tuesday debate regulations promulgated under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance that will impose strict guidelines for ...