A visionary who set out to impart a valuable lesson on nature
View(s):The Dedication that opens Lyn De Alwis’ book “Footfalls in the Wild” is to his grand-daughter, Akinsa, whom he never got the opportunity to meet. Upon reading the book this desire to reach across generations and illuminate the present with the perspectives and actions of the past, seems all the more fitting. Lyn De Alwis has left a rich legacy in the realm of wildlife and conservation, much of it marked by visible expressions on the landscape, about which Akinsa, and her generation, can be rightfully proud. To fully appreciate where we are it is important to have an understanding of how we got here, and with regards to the state of wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka, this book acts as an impressive guide on that journey, covering over four decades of one man’s dedicated service to wild and captive animals across the island and beyond.
| Memorial lecture The Deshabandu Lyn de Alwis Memorial lecture will be delivered by Prof. Lalith Jayawickrema, Department of Natural Sciences, Dubuque University, Iowa, USA on December 16 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute auditorium, Colombo 7 at 5 p.m. Prof. Jayawickrema will speak on ‘The role of modern Zoos in education and conservation’. All are welcome. | |
The book is effectively divided into four component parts, the first two dealing with the author’s service with Zoological Gardens, first in Sri Lanka and then, Singapore. The second half is about wildlife and conservation outside of zoos. As someone to whom the concept of a zoo sits uncomfortably, I read the first two sections with some trepidation. What came through, of course, as it did throughout this immensely readable book, was just how forward thinking and “ahead of the game”, Lyn De Alwis was. At the time of much of his writing, the notion that humans had the right to gather animals from their natural environments and keep them in confinement, essentially for entertainment, was almost completely unquestioned. The author’s advocacy of the chimpanzee show and elephant dance are vestiges of that worldview, but what comes through clearly in the progression of the writing in this book, is that the author questioned this notion, if not the existence of zoos themselves, in which he maintained a “fierce belief”, but in the way in which zoos went about their business.
Initially it was a desire, almost revolutionary at the time, to do away with bars and cages and display animals in open, spacious enclosures where their behaviour, as much as possible, could be observed. Later it was an engagement with conservation that was promoted through captive breeding, research and, several years before it became mainstream, support for in-situ conservation. In 1998 I wrote my undergraduate thesis in Canada on “The Role of Zoos in Conservation”, and found them decidedly wanting. In the chapter entitled “The Next Revolution”, transcribed from a keynote address that he made to the 7th annual conference of South East Asian Zoological Parks in 1989, Lyn De Alwis makes a clarion call for zoos to fulfil exactly the kind of roles that I was highlighting as necessary nine years later!
Book facts “Footfalls in the Wild” by Lyn De Alwis Reviewed by Dr. Andrew Kittle
Descriptions and explanations the author provides regarding the logistics of running a zoo and the “behind the scenes” activities that unfold, are insightful while the stories themselves are typically short, engaging and often humorous, but never lacking a philosophical thread that runs throughout the book and reassures the reader that Lyn De Alwis was a man who thought deeply, and with purpose, about his work and its meaning.
The second half of the book is divided into two sections, the first is appropriately entitled “Sri Lanka’s Wild Life: an enduring love” and is replete with vivid tales of adventure and evocative descriptions of encounters in the wild. The author’s passion about, and deep respect for, the many denizens of Sri Lanka’s varied landscapes, as well as the forests and glades that comprise this landscape, shines through these descriptions, making them very enjoyable to read. At times I found myself nodding in agreement as if I was engaged in a conversation with the author, as when, in the chapter “Savage Splendour” he states his almost awestruck pride in the very existence of elephants inhabiting Sri Lanka’s wilderness and describes the leopard as “the most beautiful of all the cats”. Later in the same chapter, he again hits the mark straight on in describing a visit to a Dry zone villu: “You are naturally speechless, taking in the indescribable peace and tranquility; it is as though we in our heart of hearts acknowledge that we belong here ourselves”.
Again Lyn De Alwis is ahead of his time here, writing thoughtfully about the importance of valuing wild places – forests, rivers, catchments – for the services that they provide in addition to their inherent beauty and ecological role. It was just last month that Sri Lanka hosted an international symposium on exactly this topic as we continue to battle to find ways in which the importance of the natural world can be included in policy evaluations and planning. This theme, that the essays and reflections in this book are as relevant today as they were when written, is at once a testament to the forethought of the author and a disturbing reminder of the distance that still needs to be travelled to ensure a sustainable future.
The last section of the book is more philosophical, the essays mostly dedicated to nuanced considerations of how we, as beneficiaries from, and guardians of, the environment, should move forward with regards to development, tourism and conservation. Much of the writing revolves around the role that the author played in the demarcation of protected areas in the country, specifically his battles to ensure that wilderness areas were maintained, and their permanence enshrined, during the years of the Mahaweli Development. This makes for fascinating reading and sitting here today, with the impressive protected area system that Sri Lanka currently has, one cannot help but be thankful for people like Lyn De Alwis, who stood tall in the face of full throttle development to be the voice of the voiceless and speak on behalf of the elephants and the trees, the birds and the bears. Wasgamuwa, Somawathie, Flood Plains and Maduru Oya National Parks are all of the status that they are due, at least in part, to the author’s recommendations – substantial ground level impact indeed!
Yet still he argues, rightfully, about the dearth of such protection in the critically important wet zone and central highlands – an argument that I find myself, as a practising zoologist today, echoing so many years later. It should be no surprise by now that Lyn De Alwis was also on the forefront of Protected Area management and was one of the early proponents of having policy informed by science (bravo!). His progressive notions included insisting on one mile wide buffer zones around parks (now, sadly, these are mostly memories) and fighting for, and getting, the declaration of jungle corridors to connect spatially separated parks and ensure the potential for future movement and gene flow. Some methods for which he strongly advocated, such as elephant drives, have been proven ineffective now, but I get the sense that the author would be among the first to take on this new evidence and adjust his thinking accordingly.
I would be remiss not to remark on the wonderful sketches and carefully selected photographs that enliven the book’s layout. In an age of digital cameras we are typically bombarded with images, whereas here we see few, small, simple shots – hard-won no doubt – and able to convey the required emotion and information. Nirmala’s sketches meanwhile are beguiling, and I am still not convinced that I didn’t see a wild boar’s ear twitch as I turned one of the pages!
In summary, this collection of Lyn De Alwis’ writings and transcribed talks is wide ranging, accessible and thought-provoking, a genuine testament to one who was quite clearly, a remarkable man. I would encourage anyone that is remotely interested in Sri Lanka’s wilderness heritage to read this book, as it encompasses valuable, well-crafted lessons about the importance of maintaining vibrant and healthy natural systems, and invaluably increases the readers understanding about the current state of wildlife in the country. The importance of this kind of education and increased awareness is something that was clearly central to Lyn De Alwis’ overall philosophy, encapsulated in this quote from Baba Diouf, one time President of Senegal, which the author includes in the book: “We will conserve only what we love. Love only what we understand and understand only what we are taught”. Lyn De Alwis seems to have embodied this idea, teaching many, through his visionary ideas and actions, to understand the natural world and thus love and protect it.
(The reviewer is Principal Investigator and Founding Trustee, The Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust Sri Lanka www.wwct.org)