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Photo focus: No human-elephant conflict here
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The prolonged drought which has afflicted the country, has adversely affected the Puttalam district.The Dodanattawa tank in the village of Nawagattegama in the Puttalam district -the only tank in the area has dried up, and is affecting the lives of elephants which depend on its waters for survival.
The herd of elephants -estimated to number around 200- has used the waters of this tank as its water hole over a long period of time. The tank which has never been known to have run dry even during the severest drought is also the only source of irrigation to the villagers in the area whose cultivation depends on its water.
Villagers charge, no renovation work on the tank was been carried out since 1970 and this has contributed to the tank’s drying up.
Having identified the severity of the problem, the Dodanattawa Farmers Association has asked the farmers to restrict the use of water for irrigation in order to ensure sufficient water remains for the animals.
The organisation has also commenced an education programme to educate the people, not to harm the elephants which come to tank to quench their thirst.
Our photographer captured scenes of elephants whichA baby runs to the tank arrived at the tank in search of water.
By eventide the herd of elephants come to the tank... the only water source left in the area
A baby runs to the water
Happiness is like frolicking in the water...
A sad, sad sight... the Dodanattawa tank is running dry
Villagers charge the tank is running dry as no renovation work has been carried out since 1970
All God’s creatures big and small
A lesson to us all... villagers willingly share water with the denizens of the wild