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Yala safari operators screech to a halt
View(s):Safari jeep operators at Yala National Park yesterday struck work after Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera denied their request to allow more jeeps into the park. The Minister has refused to drop the new rule that was introduced last week that allows only 300 safari vehicles a day in the park.
Yala Safari Jeep owners’ association president Ajith Priyantha said their meeting with the minister to find a solution was unsuccessful as neither the Wildlife Department officials nor the minister agreed to increase the number of vehicles to at least 600.
He added that the Park earns Rs 250,000 to 350,000 a day and this income would be lost if they continue their boycott. The Sunday Times learns that three safari jeep owners’ associations have joined the boycott. Interdependent safari Jeep Association president P.D Keerthi said they have not decided what action they would take adding that their association and hoteliers’ associations would be meeting Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa.
“More than 1000 vehicles enter the park usually but the management now only allows 150 vehicles in the morning and another 150 in the evening. Yet the whole area depends on tourism,” he charged. The boycotting associations allege the Wildlife Department’s sudden decision to restrict the safari jeeps was to pacify donor agencies and obtain funding for projects.
The Sunday Times learns that a World Bank delegation that had visited the park had pointed out to the Wildlife Department that the lack of proper regulations would be detrimental to the very existence of the park in the future. Wildlife Department Director General M.G .C Sooriyabandara said the decision to reduce the number of vehicles entering the park was due to ecological factors such as protecting the park’s grasslands and shrubs and reducing the stress to the wild animals. He said the ministry had earlier introduced other restrictions such as speed limits, speed bumps and one way routes to protect the Park.
The Wildlife Ministry said they will stick to their decision in spite of the ongoing boycott.