The southwest monsoon rains experienced at present have seriously affected the Saputantrikanda mountain range that includes Saputhantrikanda, Rammalkanda and Dehigashena hills in the Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat.
The National Building and Research Organization has identified the mountain range as an endangered area. Soil erosion in the Saputhantrikanda mountain range and Rammalkanda hills was first experienced in 1969. This developed into a massive landslide in 2003 claiming 17 lives and causing extensive damage to several buildings including the Saputhantrikanda Government School. Environmentalists are of the opinion that human activities, particularly the haphazard clearing of the forest reserve, has resulted in this state. An elderly resident of the area Mahathun Samarasekara (78) said he felt the imminent disaster as far back as 1922, when they noticed muddy water flowing down the hills during heavy rains. We informed the authorities that the mountain range was endangered with erosion. The British Government agents took steps to grow forest trees to reinforce the soil. However, the successive governments since independence paid no attention to the devastating situation until a landslide caused havoc in 2004. Now people are cautious about the environment.”
A resident of Rammalkanda, W.M. Malkanthi said the ill-planned colonization caused much damage to the environment.
“Opening of the Rammalkanda forest reserve for colonization schemes and development activities in the 1970s created a series of environmental problems. A large area of the forest cover in the mountain range was cleared from time to time. It is going on unchecked despite the disastrous situation facing the people”
A senior official of the Forest Conservation Department said statistically more than 1130 hectares in Rammalkanda forest reserve had been reduced to 780 hectares. He accused the colonists who are clearing the jungles without the least concern about its danger.
A geologist of the National Building Research Organisation, C.S. Menikpura said the soil erosion and earthslips were mainly due to the clearing of the forest cover and the haphazard construction works. He pointed out that the soil erosion had been going on since long due to the environmental damage.
“The mountain range would be vulnerable to erosion by the nature of its soil which is unique to the area, unless preventive measures are taken. Particularly the forest cover should be well conserved. We have taken steps to create public awareness in this regard. The danger is further aggravated by the high rainfall experienced in the area soon after the drought. The people should be cautious during heavy rains”
A resident of the area M.K.A. Kumari expressed concern over the destruction caused to the Rammalkanda forest reserve, regardless of its historical importance.
“Rammalkanda hill and the forest reserve provided protection to King Vijeyabahu 1, who fled to the south carrying with him the sacred Tooth Relic during a South Indian invasion and raised an army to march against the invaders. However, the forest reserve that should be subject to research by archaeologists and historians was opened for the colonization scheme and development activities. Colonists cleared vast areas of the forest reserve to expand their settlements and to cultivate tea and other crops regardless of the environmental damage. The misuse of water resources in the hills resulted in a severe shortage of drinking water. Many of the water courses and streams that provided water to a vast population in the area dwindled due to the haphazard clearing of jungles. The drying natural water resources in the hills are a serious threat to the bio-diversity unique to this tropical forest,” she said.
Meanwhile, Divisional Secretary, Walasmulla, Deepika K. Gunaratne stressed the need to create public awareness on protecting the environment which is the only way to prevent any possible disaster.
“Saputhantrikanda, Rammalakanda- and Dehigahahenakanda have been identified as endangered areas by the National Building Research Organization. We launched a public awareness programme in collaboration with the Practical Action Organization. The Disaster Management Committe provided practical training to the colonists on how to act in case of a disaster. Practical Action Organization installed alarms to be used in case of emergency. We have advised the people to be cautious during heavy rains and to leave for safe locations including the Sitthamgallena Rajamaha Vihara,” the Divisional Secretary said.
However the residents of the area requested the authorities to take action against the individuals who clear the forest cover in the mountain range and were responsible for the devastating situation. They pointed out the need to take immediate steps to protect the mountain range to prevent the recurrence of a natural disaster similar to the landslide in 2004.
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