Letters to the Editor
View(s):Less harmful ways to control wild elephant damage to crops
A topic that has aroused a furore after Minister Lalkantha’s ill-thought out statement, however needs a solution.
An Oxford University study in Kenya, where, like Sri Lanka settlements are impinging on elephant habitats, showed that beehive fences protected crops 86.3% of the time: “During six peak crop-growing seasons (November to January 2014-2020), 3,027 elephants approached the farms and the beehive fences successfully deterred an annual average of 86.3% of elephants from raiding crops”. These fences consist of a series of live beehives strung together between posts, creating a physical, auditory, and olfactory deterrent to elephants. The elephants’ natural fear of being stung keeps them away, while the fences also benefit farmers by providing pollination services and generating income through honey and wax production” – Dr. Lucy King (Department of Biology, University of Oxford and Save the Elephants) in Conservation Science and Practice.
Another study in Africa, states: “While elephants’ thick skin usually protects them, disturbed honey bees target sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and the trunk, where their stings cause discomfort”. To date over 14,000 beehives have been hung as elephant deterrents in 97 sites across Africa and Asia.
We often see on electronic media that wildlife officers called to help with the human-elephant conflict often don’t respond or are ineffective with their ‘Ali-Don’ in chasing away a marauding herd. Could I suggest ‘drones with rubber bullets’ be included in their armamentarium, perhaps inclusive of generating bee noise.
As for monkeys who are rampant where we live in Kandy, breaking telephone lines, aerials, etc, I have tried chasing them away with crackers, water jets etc., but the only real time solution came when I adopted gorilla masks. They have mostly stayed away in the past decade. My windows abound with such masks.
Channa Ratnatunga Via email
A timely film ‘Gautama Buddha Matha’, reminds us to stand up for the rights of bhikkhunis
The release of the historical film ‘Gautama Buddha Matha’ on the life of the much revered Prajapathi Gothami Maha Theri in the month of Uduvap poya is of much significance to Buddhists. It was on Sangamitta Day that the sacred Bo Sapling was brought to Ceylon by Ven. SangamittaTheri and the Bhikkhuni Sasana was established in the country during King Devanampiyatissa’s reign.
Ven. Prajapathi Gothami is much venerated by all Buddhists as it was, she who nurtured Prince Siddhartha during his formative years as his mother Mahamaya Devi passed away within one week of his birth. In fact, the Buddha established the Bhikkhuni order under the leadership of Prajapathi Gothami as a mark of respect for her.
It is also recorded that the Buddha went to the Thausitha heaven to preach the Dhamma to his mother, who lovingly protected him in her womb before birth. The monument built by Emperor Ashoka at Sankassa bears testimony to this act of gratitude.
Similarly, the Buddha visited Princess Yasodara Devi in appreciation of the encouragement and loyalty she had shown to him for more than 500 births prior to his attaining Buddhahood.
The establishment of the Bhikkhuni order by the Buddha gave equal status to women. It is under the leadership of Ven. Sangamitta Theri that the Bhikkhuni order was established in Sri Lanka. But presently, bhikkhunis in our society are not even able to obtain a Bhikkuni Identity Card to safeguard their rights. In spite of the obstacles they have to face, bhikkhunis demonstrate their potential by their acts of kindness to the needy while practising the Buddha Dhamma Therefore, recognition of bhikkhunis as a part of the Buddhist order is of much significance for the preservation of the Buddha Dhamma for the next 2,500 years.
However it is sad to note that the bhikkhunis, who are the disciples of the Bhikkhuni order originally established under Ven. Prajapathi Gothami are not given equal status in our country. Therefore, it is praiseworthy that the producer and the director of this film have given equal opportunity for bhikkhus and bhikkhunis to watch this film.
As lay Buddhists we must organise ourselves and stand up for the rights of the bhikkunis and restore the equal status they richly deserve to enjoy.
Indrakumar and Ruvini Wijayatilake Via email
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