The ‘development projects’ and tourism promotion activities have threatened Sri Lanka’s natural resources, especially the wildlife. The officials continuous give eloquent speeches about sustainable tourism and one might wonder whether their speeches are just limited to words. As environmentalist Rukshan Jayawardene quite rightly pointed out it is not acceptable and sustainable to destroy wildlife as it is the very resource which helps to earn foreign exchange from tourists who are interested in wildlife.

With such danger looming, it is being reported that there are campsites inside national parks which have been leased out to private companies. How did these private companies get the campsites for lease and how did these activities go unnoticed by the officials that are appointed to safeguard the country’s natural resources? How did they not notice that these parties are blatantly violating the environmental laws? These questions can only be answered by the wildlife officials.

Campsites on lease
The Environmental Organizations Collective revealed that the Department of Wildlife has given the campsites in major national parks, to private parties who rent these campsites back to the tourists at a higher price. According to the environmentalists the campsites are given under long-term leases for an amount between Rs 50,000- Rs 100,000. However the private companies which provide tourists with wildlife observational visits and hospitality services at these campsites charge 300 US dollars per day from one individual.

The campsites in Yala, Wilpattu and Udawalwe national parks have been leased out to private parties and it was also revealed that an area from the Horton Plains Reserve would also be allocated for a campsite which would be leased out to a private party.

Read more : http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/22727-intruding-on-the-untrodden-green.html

By Sarasi Paranamanna
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
Photos courtesy: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)