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| Saturday, 28 August 2004 |
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Tallest sand-dunes in country destroyed by UNP politician by P. Krishnaswamy A range of sand-dunes which provided an eye-catching backdrop to the coastal beaches and protected them at Andimunai, a hamlet near the fishing village of Udappu, off Chilaw, have been destroyed by a prominent UNP politician of the area to provide land to his supporters to build houses. The sand dunes have now vanished from view. Dozens of bulldozers were used by this UNP member of the North-Western Provincial Council to flatten them regardless of environmental concerns and the pleas of the owner of the coconut estate in which the dunes were situated. Sand dunes are a rare natural phenomenon found only in a few coastal areas and have been described as a "national heritage worthy of preservation". Sand dunes are also ecologically important because they prevent sea erosion. They also prevent inflow of sea water into nearby villages where cultivable lands are located. About seventeen sand dunes which were the tallest in the country, surpassing the heights of dunes in Hambantota and Pasikudah, have so far been flattened and the land has been distributed among party supporters. In the middle of the 50 acre site a road has been constructed. Dozens of the other dunes in that location are also facing the threat of being flattened in a similar manner. Sand dunes, resembling hillocks, overgrown with shrubs, wild plants and palmyra palms have disappeared and the arid wastes are now dotted with cadjan-thatched houses and brick structures which are coming up. Environmentalists are also in arms against the large-scale sand mining in the neighbouring coastal areas, from Udappuwa to Palavi and in the Kalpitiya penisuala. With the serious damage to the ecosystem, villagers who depend on agriculture have complained that their livelihoods are in jeopardy. Half of the country's chilli and vegetable harvest comes from these areas, despite the prevailing water shortage. Environmentalists have also warned that damages caused to the sand dunes would destroy the existing vegetation and the ecosystem in the area. Well-known environmentalist Jagath Gunawardena told the Daily News that with the destruction of the dunes sea erosion was a major threat. Permission should be obtained from the Coast Conservation Department before on settlements in the sand dune areas are allowed, he said. He also said: "Sand dunes protect inland vegetation and acts as a wind barrier during stormy weather conditions. During hurricanes, the dunes also protect people living in the nearby villages. Dunes also absorb rain water and help to maintain the humidity of the area." NGOs have written to the Tourist Board about protecting the 42 sand dunes located at the site. Environmentalists have urged the authorities involved to intervene to stop the wanton destruction of the sand dunes. |
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