Environmentalists express horror over jungle show near elephant habitat
Environmentalists and conservationists have questioned how the authorities cleared a three-day reggae, rock, and hiphop music fiesta in close proximity to an elephant-inhabited forest reserve and buffer zone in Habarana.
The ‘Deep Jungle Music and Cultural Festival 2023’ is being organised by a company named Deep Jungle Entertainment (Pvt) Ltd to attract tourists. It is scheduled for February 17-20 on privately-owned land in Karandagaswewa.
The Sunday Times learns the Forest Conservation Department (FCD) has granted conditional permission, which even allows bonfires within designated spaces.
Furious environmentalists argue that even the relevant FCD letter notes the site is in close proximity to elephant habitats and a tank bund frequented by elephants.
The earmarked location is not a “protected area” but borders one, an FCD official said.
Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Hemantha Withanage said the FCD terms were “vague”. For instance, it simply said the animals should not be disturbed by the noise from the event.
"People don't come to Habarana to listen to reggae,” he said. “They come for eco-tourism. Promotion videos for the event claim that there are elephants nearby.”
"There are no declared noise levels for forests at the moment but the noise limitation level is 45 decibels in rural areas,” Mr Withanage pointed out. “An event like a wedding releases up to 100 decibels. Forests are silent zones. Functions emitting noise beyond 100 decibels will be illegal.”
The authorities have not issued sound guidelines or set decibel levels for the event. The FCD’s conditional approval merely states that “sound cannot go beyond the demarcated area”. This was confirmed by Jeewa Jayasaddunu, Administration and Event Coordinating Assistant of Deep Jungle Entertainment.
She said the company had held several such events, since 2017, with previous editions being held near Sigiriya. She said the earmarked
What we're attempting is a fusion of eco and entertainment tourism." Cultural displays would include “angampora” and “Telugu dancing”
location for the upcoming show was cultivation land.
She claimed that the company would use a system to control sound pressure and confine it to a designated area. Around 1,000 guests are expected to gather in the 20-acre plot for the three-day event.
“Entertainment tourism is almost non-existent in Sri Lanka,” Ms. Jayasadduni said. “What we're attempting is a fusion of eco and entertainment tourism." Cultural displays would include “angampora” and “Telugu dancing”.
Performers are having hard times and multiple small-scale businesses in the area will also benefit, Ms. She said.
She also claimed their team had been staying at the location for several weeks and had seen no elephants: "Maybe they aren't migrating at the moment because of the rain."
The event has obtained clearance from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTB), the company said. SLTB Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said he was abroad and, therefore, could not comment.
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) said it was gravely concerned about the event that will be held close to the Hurulu Eco Park in Habarana.
The company might say its goal was to promote sustainable tourism, but loud noise (sound pollution) and lights would confuse and disturb the natural behaviours of wild animals, said Supun Lahiru Prakash, Convener of the Biodiversity Conservation Research Circle.
“The illumination of forest areas could drastically impact them,” he warned. “It would upset the activities of diurnal [active during the day], crepuscular [active during twilight] as well as nocturnal [active at night] animals, disrupting their sleep, feeding, breeding and survival habits.”
Human lives, including those of foreigners, could be endangered as loud noise and lights will impact elephant behaviour. Tourists who might be drunk could face wild elephant attacks if they ventured into nearby forests, said Mr Praksash hitting out at the SLTB for endorsing events that could harm tourism.
Minneriya National Park Warden G.K.G.M. Pradeep Kumara said the park was world famous for its Great Elephant Gathering, but it had now dwindled to just 20 animals from around 400. Most elephants had moved to Habarana, leaving safari drivers without business, he said.
FCB sanctioned the event--as a tourism promotion activity--on February 3 this year on eight conditions. A senior official said they agreed to the show as the economy would benefit “from some dollars”.
Deep Jungle Entertainment Director Sumudu Saman Priyaratne said 450 tickets--each costing US$ 70 (Rs 25,540)--had already been sold.
“We are spending Rs 35mn to hold the event according to international standards,” he claimed. “Therefore, we will include rock, reggae and techno music.” He said he hoped to use 70 security guards and sought police assistance.
The Habarana police said they would only deploy personnel if loudspeakers were used.