News
From tranquillity to a garbage dump
View(s):‘Ape Gama’, formerly known as the Janakala Kendraya in Battaramulla used to be an isle of tranquility.
Story and pix by Randima Attygala and Indika Handuwala
Today it is fast becoming a garbage dumping yard with all manner of garbage, including non-degradable plastic containers from Ape Gama’ itself being dumped in the compound bordering the wetlands abundant with wild life.
Situated at the turn-off to the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Road which borders Ape Gama, a large notice put up by the Department of Wild life warns the area is a protected bio-diversity rich area and includes endemic species which inhabit its precints.
However this seems to have skipped the notice of officials tasked to maintain the site, a recreational centre which also houses a hall, several handicraft stalls and a Laksala outlet.
Today’s torrential rains, have turned the garbage dump with its collection of used plastic bottles into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The premises of Ape Gama are in the vicinity of the Parliament and the Central Environment Authority.
The area is fitted with CCTV cameras and an investigation would reveal the persons responsible for dumping garbage in this protected area.
Our photographs show tractor-loads of garbage being dumped in this protected area.
The area rich in biodiversity is home to several endemic species
The sign board put up by the Dept of Wild Life declaring the area a protected site
The village is an area of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of traffic
A tractor driver dumps a load of garbage in full view of CCTV cameras.
Ape Gama may soon have to be renamed ‘Gandha Gama’ or Smelly village
The site is continuously monitored by CCTV cameras
Damn the law… we dump wherever we want to