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If you are climbing Sri Pada be kind to nature, urge environmentalists
File pic of crowds thronging Sri Pada
As this long weekend draws large crowds to Adams Peak, environmentalists have renewed their plea to pilgrims not to pollute its pristine environment. “Despite continuous reminders, visitors still discard non-biodegradable items such as plastic bottles, polythene wrappers and lunch sheets,” said Prabash Karunathilake, the ranger at the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s (DWC) Nallathanniya office.
The DWC together with the Divisional Secretary employ workers to collect garbage discarded by pilgrims. Volunteers also give a helping hand. But long weekends attract large crowds and with it comes more garbage.
“The best solution is to reduce polythene and plastic items that visitors bring to the site,” says Mr. Karunathilake.
The route that starts from Nallathanniya, close to Hatton, is the shortest route to Sri Pada and it attracts the biggest crowd and with it the worst pollution.
Environmentalists also stressed the importance of protecting the Peak Wilderness sanctuary that was declared a Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 2010. The Peak Wilderness rich in biodiversity said Mendis Wickramasinghe who discovered 8 new frog species in this natural haven in 2013.
The area is rich in biodiversity. Pix by Nilanthi Rajapaksha and Bhathiya Gopallawa
He said more research had to be done adding that there could be many creatures yet undiscovered and new to science and they needed to be protected.
He said freshwater fish, amphibians and freshwater crabs are the most threatened when the waterways get polluuted. Mr.Wickramasinghe recalled one long weekend where crowds to
Sri Pada had bathed in the water bodies applying shampoo, which had killed a population of tadpoles downstream.
Visitors to Sr Pada should enjoy the beauty of nature around them as there are a number of bird species that can be spotted on the trail itself. The yellow-eared bulbul is one such bird that can be spotted.
A visitor could also observe the different forest types, unique plants and flowers found in this area, pointed out environmentalists stressing the importance of not polluting the area.
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