WILPATTU A GATHERING STORM

A question of boundaries of a protected zone We have spent Rs.12 lakhs on the construction of the ‘Al-Jaseem City’. The land is to build houses for people --Minister Bathiudeen

During the last few weeks the social media had a new storm “Save Wilpattu” to focus on. The campaign was based on alleged instances of deforestation in Wilpattu and several video visuals and reports that had been made public on this account where Minister Raishard Bathiudeen was blamed for using his ministerial portfolio to continue with the deforestation. People looked at the issue from different angles and with different eyes with some parties even accusing the minister of giving lands only to “Muslims”. On his part, Minister Bathiudeen refuted all these claims and said that he was willing to give up his ministerial post if the allegations were proved.

The visited the Marichchikatti area bordering the Wilpattu Sanctuary where the deforestation had allegedly taken place. After we passed the Kalaaru Bridge we noticed boards on both sides of the road indicating that the lands belonged to the Department of Wildlife and that it was illegal to build or have any establishments on the said lands. However some of these boards had been torn off. Some residents in the area said they owned land but had to leave everything behind within twenty-four hours when the LTTE demanded they do so. After the war, they were given lands and some of their houses were sponsored by various non-governmental organisations. Most of them living in poverty did not enjoy basic facilities like water and electricity, while being trodden on by politicians. They said they cannot live peacefully as many parties pointed fingers at them saying they destroyed Wilpattu.

THIS IS OUR LAND

Hameed Marikkar, a member of the Marichchikatti Pradeshiya Sabha said for years his kith and kin had been living in that area. “Many generations lived on these lands. We were asked to leave by the LTTE in 1990 within 24 hours. When land is left untended for almost twenty five years it is natural for shrubs and trees to grow. But we have evidence to prove that we lived here. For instance there is a well which was built in 1926. This itself can show that people used to live in this area and there was no deforestation,” he said.

He said he does not know how the video footage which was telecast on a private media channel was obtained. “I do not know that video was circulated. People here have nothing to do with cutting trees or deforestation. It seems like they have captured visuals from different places and made the video,” he said.

Nahur Pitchchai another resident who left his property in 1990 said all these issues seem to be related to political struggles.

“Ramesh who was with Karuna back then, told us to leave within twenty-four hours. We carried a few of our belongings in shopping bags; that was all. The LTTE demanded five lakhs from wealthy people in the area,” he said. According to Nahur some people left for Kalpitiya and Puttalam areas.

Rafie, another resident said when he left he was only seven years old. “I was only seven when we left. We came back after thirty-years, on 30th October 2009 to be exact. About two years ago there was a meeting where we were promised houses by Ministers Rishard Bathiudeen and Basil Rajapaksa,” he said.

However there were residents who were from Silawathura; they were not original residents of Marichchikatti. They said a Navy camp was built and that was the reason why they were given land from that area. Each family had been given half acre and assistance by the government to build houses.

Thambith, another resident said that when they returned after the war the entire area had gone into jungle. “When we returned in 2009 this area looked like a forest. This happens when people abandon their lands; still these are our lands. We lived here before,” he said.

Mohammed Mustapha Junaid claiming that he belonged to the 6th generation of his family said he had proof to show that his family lived there. He related a different story from the rest.

“I was a teacher and I am from the sixth generation of my family that lived here. Before we left there were 800 acres of cultivated land there. Those lands are in the hands of the Navy now. Some of my lands are also within the land under Navy control. I lodged a complaint with the former Commissioner of the Land Acquisition but there was no comeback,” he said.

HARDSHIPS, ALLEGATIONS AND POLITICAL BATTLES

In Mannar District, under the Musseli Pradeshiya Sabha there are 4 villagesPalakuli, Marichchikatti, Karadikuli and Mullikulam. Many parties claimed that it was in the Marichchikatti area that the deforestation had taken place. There had been 615 families living in the area out of which 126 had been given houses. Some of the houses had been built by UNHABITAT, and Al Jasim, which is a Saudi Arabian nongovernmental organisation. From these funds, ‘Mega Constructions’a company that belonged to Minister Rishard Bathiudeen had also built houses.

Some villagers alleged that Minister Rishard Bathiudeen owned around 600-700 acres of land behind the Al Jasim School. However, we could not visit the land as access to it was blocked. But it was visible even from a distance that the that land had been cleared and was being prepared for some sort of a construction.

Locals also said that government authorities had acquired 150 acres in Marichchikatti and 40 acres from Mottayathara and also some land from from Kumbulavil. When we were on our way to inspect the cleared area behind the Al Jasim School, two motorcyclists followed us.

We noticed that the forest had been cleared and that small huts on both sides of the roads had been built. Residents said that plots of land from the area were given to the people from Silawathura. But nobody could confirm whether the recipients had been given title deeds.

People from the area said the current issues had arisen owing to political interests in the area. “Before the last presidential election people who received plots of land were given Rs.25,000 to build shelters and after the elections they were given another Rs.25,000. They were told to use the money to build temporary huts to claim ownership of the lands. It was pointless giving that money as the people did not benefit from it,” they said. They also said there seems to be a cold war

between the MPs Hunaiz Farook and Rishard Bathiudeen and that Bathiudeen appeared to be using his powers to enhance his voter base by settling his people in the area. “Rishard is giving plots of land here and most of them are given to his voters. Some have deeds and some don’t,” they said.

Some residents aired this view: ‘Although people comment about the lands nobody talking about our woes. If we have to leave, will anyone give us housing? Although some of the houses are built with the support of various organisations we do not have access to clean water; to reach a hospital we have to travel miles; when it rains heavily the Kalaru Bridge is flooded and for days we have to wait until the floods subside. Politicians may speak about land and animals but nobody is looking at our side of the story.”

700 ACRES FOR THE PEOPLE SAYS MINISTER BATHIUDEEN

When Daily Mirror asked Minister Rishard Bathiudeen for his comments on the issue of 700 acres of land that had been cleared behind Al Jasim School, he said it was to build houses for the people. “We have given title deeds to all who were resettled in Marrichukatti. We have spent Rs.12 lakhs on the construction of the ‘Al-Jaseem City’. The land is reserved to build houses for the people,” he said.

IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO GIVE LANDS TO ALLHUNNAIZ FAROOK

“It was a big challenge to give lands to all the people who returned to their native lands after the war ended in 2010. After I was made the Musali Pradeshiya Sabha development leader, nearly 1,350 acres of Marichchikatti were acquired by the Navy that later returned 735 acres. Then although the government planned to give 80 perches for cultivation and another acre for a house, due to the population only 1/2 an acre for a house was allocated,”Farook said.

THERE IS A SERIOUS BREACH OF LAW AND A THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT - SAJEEWA CHAMIKARA, CONSERVATIONIST

“The road from Puttalam to Eluwankulama is a forest area, that spreads up to Silawathura. The largest forest area in this country is Wilpattu; Kalaru also belongs to this area from where the lands have been distributed to people. But, these lands belong to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. This area provides shelter for many varieties of flora and fauna,” the conservationist said.

He was also of the view that it was impractical to establish houses in the area as there is an elephant corridor through this area. “The area where the lands have being given is an elephant corridor. Therefore it is impractical to give lands to people to build houses. It is also illegal to clear lands in such a manner. There is a serious breach of the law,” he said.

Chamikara said that according to Section 20 of the Wildlife Protection Act clearing land, cutting trees and buildings of various kinds [in protected areas] is illegal and that offenders who commit these offences can be arrested without a warrant.