News
Photo focus: Victims… of poor planning
Villagers view the destruction of their crops by wild elephants which cross into the colony often
The agricultural colony of Neelabemma, in Karuwelagaswewa in the Puttalam District has been subject to constant intrusion by wild elephants which roam the Wilpattu National Park Reservation.
‘Neelabamma’ itself is the dam across the Kala Oya, stretching 13 km up to Ottupallama and is a part of a massive two-stage irrigation project. Stage One of the project covers 500 acres of paddy and chena cultivation.
From the time the project commenced it has been subjected to regular attacks by wild elephants from the Wilpattu National Reserve which is in the vicinity.
An electrified fence was constructed to prevent the beasts entering the Neelabemma village. But recently the elephants have broken the fence and encroached farm lands causing damage to crops.
The Civil Security Unit which falls under the purview of the Department of Wild Life patrols the fence during the day, but security is withdrawn at night.
It is during the night, wild elephants encroach the village damaging crops and housing units in which crops
are stored.
The farmers who were displaced during the recent floods managed to re-commence agricultural activities with loans taken from lending institutions. They have not repaid these loans as yet and fear the damage to crops by the elephants will keep them indebted as well as fearful for their lives.
A villager gazes at what was once a section of an electrified fence, recently damaged by elephants which stray into the area
A despairing farmer surveys his destroyed crop.
Footprints in the mud... the route taken by the pachyderms
Banana plantations are among the worst affected as elephants try to scratch themselves against the trees
A farmer shows part of his destroyed crop