Tuesday, 06 September 2011
By Ajithlal Shanthaudaya
The five-day-old fast by a group of farmers against the proposed electric fence at Dahaiyagala in Hambegamuwa ended last morning when the Minister of Agrarian Services and Wildlife met the protestors to fulfill the promise to provide land to the farmers who would lose their land for the proposed project.
The protestors pointed out that the land and paddy fields belonging to more than 100 farmers would come within the proposed electric fence. Four men and four women had joined the protest. Two women who were in a critical condition had been admitted to hospital earlier and others were rushed to the Hambegamuwa hospital soon after calling off the fast.
http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/news/55365.html
This electric fence erects to protect the both farmers and elephants. It protect elephants’ special feeding habitat “Bogahapattiya”. Bogahapattiya has unique mineral deposits which serve as salt licks. These natural mineral deposits provide essential nutrients for animals living in nutrient-poor ecosystems. Hundreds of elephants gather to this site. Elephants in the Udawalawe National Park travel to Bogahapattiya, through the Dahaiyagala Elephant Corridor to satisfy nutritional needs. 90% of villagers need the fence. Because it is protect not only their lives but also their treasure which they raise through out the whole life. And it restrains the poachers and “Kansa” smugglers from the protected area. The Supreme Court order to erect the fence after considers all these matters. Only two paddy fields caught by the fence because those are in the National park. Villagers said that this people who protest against the proposed electric fence, are not really live on this area. They live in several miles away from the Dhaiyagala area.
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