Yala: possible solutions to stem the damage

By Srilal Miththapala

I have been writing regularly in various journals, since of late, highlighting the plight that is befalling the Yala National Park. I am very thankful to all the editors of the popular newspapers who have given adequate publicity to my ‘crusade’.

There has been good supportive feedback from many sources, but there have been a few criticisms also, that there is no solution suggested by me in some of my more recent articles. On the contrary, I have clearly outlined some of the possible solutions that can be speedily implemented in some of my earlier articles

(‘Yala – ruined by its own popularity’?)

Hence, due to the interest level shown, and the topical nature of the subject, I have collated some of the earlier writings related to the possible solutions, herein.

Fundamentally, all the problems really boil down from three issues, which are in some way inter-related.

1. Over-visitation and increased demand

2. Inability to enforce park rules by the DWC

3. Increased level of tourism activity in the area

Over visitation

Fuelled by the post war tourism boom, visitor numbers to Yala has been growing rapidly. In 2011, Yala had close upon 99,000 foreign visitors and 217,000 local visitors. (ref. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority –SLTDA). The 2012 figures are not yet available, but the total visitation is said to have exceeded 500,000 in 2012. In fact, it was reported recently that on the 13th of February this year, there was an all-time record at Yala, with 1000 foreign and 500 local visitors, bringing in revenue of Rs. 2.6 m for the day.

The safari vehicles and guides/trackers vie for business from visitors for safari rides. It is estimated that there are over 250 jeep drivers operating in the Yala area, most of whom have no experience nor interest in wildlife, but have gone into the business to make a ‘quick buck’. Profit margins are high, with a single safari driver earning Rs. 4,000-Rs. 5,000 per safari, of approximately three hours, together with ‘handsome tips’ for a unique sighting, particularly leopards.

Inability to enforce park rules

Ensuring that drivers and visitors obey the rules strictly within the National Park comes under the purview of the DWC. However, they are unable to implement most of these rules due to various reasons, such as lack of interest and motivation of staff, political interference, poor management, lack of resources etc.

Without the DWC being given a free hand to strictly enforce these rules, it is quite impossible to safeguard the sanctity and environment of the park.

Recently, a DWC official was on record appealing for help, to save a large tusker in the Sigiriya-Minneriya area from a gang of poachers who were stalking him for some time. The official said that he had no resources available with him, including fuel, to mount a search operation for the poachers!

Given the recent findings of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), about the gross mismanagement in public enterprises, it is no surprise that the DWC operates at this level.

As Jayantha Jayawardene, who has authored several books on Sri Lankan Elephants, so aptly puts it, the DWC has ceased to be an organisation which is there to protect animals. Its function now is to protect the people and politicians!

Tourism

With the rapid growth of tourism in the past three years, and wildlife tourism also gaining popularity in Sri Lanka, the number of tourists to the area has also increased, together with new hotel developments. SLTDA statistics reveal that of the 855,975 tourist arrivals to the country in 2011, 198,536 visited national parks (23%.). The numbers for 2012 are still not available officially, but given that arrivals to the country rose to 1 M, total Yala park visitation should be in the order of 500,000.

Hence, while it is clear that while Sri Lanka is not, and never will be, another Kenya, wild life tourism is certainly playing an increasingly important role in Sri Lanka’s tourism offering.

Over the years, the leopard population in Yala has grown, and today it numbers close to 50 leopards habituating a very small area of the park. This fairly healthy population, a large number of whom have grown up accustomed to human and jeeps, now enable visitors to have a very good chance of a leopard sighting during a game drive in the park. This single aspect has been the main cause for the drastic increase in visitation, leading to the current situation. Sri Lanka is beginning to be called a leopard haven, due to these relatively easy sightings of leopards.