By Rathindra Kuruwita

Farmers of Hambantota would continue with their fast until a gazette notification declaring the Wild Elephant Management Reserve in Hambantota was published, environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara said yesterday.

The farmers of Hambantota have been protesting for over 35 days, demanding the gazetting of the reserve, Chamikara said.

“A plan to create this reserve was prepared in 2010 and approval granted in 2011. However, powerful ministers of both the Rajapaksa and yahapalana governments prevented the implementation of the plan. There are behind a large number of soil and granite extraction sites in the area earmarked for the reserve. A powerful Minister in this government too is opposed to the proposed reserve.”

Chamikara added that there was no need for Cabinet approval for the declaration of a protected area. According to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, the Minister of Environment could declare a protected area. “Given this, the government’s move is a clear diversionary strategy,” the senior environmentalist said.

Chamikara said that the government had not obtained Cabinet approval for expanding a road to Lankagama or parcelling out land in Kandakadu, Dahaiyagala and Somawathiya.

“Farmers know this and that’s why they will go on with their fast until the gazette is printed. 156 farmer organisations and a number of trade unions have joined the struggle of the Hambantota farmers. At a time when some claiming to be farmers are clearing forest land when the President visits villages, these people are trying to protect the forests and ecology,” Chamikara said.

The Cabinet on Monday approved a proposal by the Minister of Environment to declare a 23,746 hectare elephant reserve subsequent to obtaining the agreement of legal draughtsman for publishing the gazette.