"Will" is the paradise of elephants

If there was a forest where Sri Lanka's largest herd of elephants could be seen about forty years ago, there is no doubt that it was the Polonnaruwa Somavati forest. At that time, the elephant herd consisted of about three hundred members. A.B., a well-known wildlife officer who was in charge of the Somavati sanctuary at that time. A note made by Mr. Fernando with great pride still excites me today.

That is why the current events are so painful. With Polonnaruwa as the center of the historic Somavathy Pagoda, the vast dense forest that covers the northern part of Polonnaruwa district and the southern part of Trincomalee district is the home of the lake elephants of Somavathy. It is correct to say that this is completely protected due to the natural position of the Mahaweli river.

The main tributaries of the Mahaveli River flowing west of the Somavati Forest and its main tributary Verugal Ganga and Kandakadu Aara flow from the south and east and other smaller river patterns such as Adampan Aara, Madu Aara, Pawana Aara, Periya Aara, Mavil Aara, Komanavichi Ganga, and Vellai Aara. Many have provided constant protection and nourishment to the Somavati forest and the elephants living there.

Because of this, the elephants in Somavati are larger than the elephants in other parts of Sri Lanka. These elephants, which are called by the special nickname of "Swamp Elephant", are rare to see. Also violence. Mr. Eric Swann, a famous wildlife photographer, was killed by a black elephant in Somavathi Lake. The tallest elephant ever shot in a Sri Lankan forest was recorded in 1919 by E.L. The elephant, about 10 feet 9 inches tall, was shot at the Somavati lake by an Englishman named Walker.

Within Wasgamuwa National Forest Park, the Mahaweli River, which merges with the Amban River, enters the Mahaweli floodplain valley through Dimbulagala, Manampitiya, and divides into two branches suitable for the heavy task of feeding the dry forest. Since then, one of these two rivers, which create many branches of Villu and Apa, flows towards the north direction and enters the sea by the name of Verugal Ara. The main Mahaweli river continues in the northern direction and empties into the sea at Kottiaram Bay.

Mahaweli River, which is like a natural blessing to the dry region of the east, has been able to inherit unique characteristics not only to the greenery of the Somavati forest but also to the wildlife living there. The wealth of elephants living in countless lakes nourished by the overflowing water of the rivers and grazing on the abundant grass and aquatic plants is also known as lake elephants because of this unique way of life they have. A former museum director who contributed an article to the publication of the Royal Asiatic Society (Clanka Branch) in 1939, P.E.P. Mr. Derangala pointed out that the elephants living in the lower valleys of the Mahaweli River have more specific characteristics than the elephants living in other parts of Sri Lanka. It was he himself who first called these elephants "Wil Ali".

Considering the special characteristics of the elephants living in Sri Lanka, the elephant resource roaming in the lower valley areas of the Mahaweli River has been classified into the subgenus of lake elephants. Elephants live here in large herds. Their life is mostly limited to the lakes around the flooded valley of the Mahaweli river. That is why we have to protect the Flood Valley National Park, which is currently in dire straits, at the risk of our lives. In the Kadinam Mahaweli scheme established in 1980, connecting Vasgamuwa and Somavathi National Parks, the forests on both sides of the Mahaweli River were protected under the name of Flood Valley National Park because of the importance of this land and the Willu elephants living there. The great sin of relentlessly destroying the great forests that covered both sides of the Mahaweli River from Vasgamuwa to Trincomalee, and the Great Valuka Sand Deposits that protected the Ganga Valley and the Somavati National Park for hundreds of thousands of years by nourishing the river's lake resources, began in 2009. It is regrettable to say that later.

The Mahaweli River passes Manampitiya and flows rapidly towards the sea along the dry plains. As a result, vertical sand ridges were formed on both sides of the banks of the river. These banks were visible from six to ten feet above the river level. During the overflowing season of the river, there were strips of land on both sides of the river where these banks were covered and the silt was deposited miles away. These unique land areas, which we call villages, were protected by uncultivated green grass. The rich grass growing to a height of seven to eight feet fulfills the food needs of the lake elephants no less. Elephant tracks are spread through these grasslands. Due to the constant movement of elephants on the muddy ground, footprints of elephants, three to four feet wide and two feet deep are found in these lakes. These footpaths are covered with green grass that rises up on both sides.

At first glance, these footpaths appear as dark tunnels. Herds of elephants walk through the grass and go down to the river to drink water. It can be seen on both sides of the Mahaweli river such entrances of elephants. The inlets are very steep, sloping down to the river at an acute angle. Elephants come down from the banks of the river along these slopes. That's why some

The slopes are nicely polished. A person who has once seen the sight of lake elephants descending into the Ruta River with their forepaws stretched out towards the river and their hind legs bent and rubbing their stomachs on the slope will never forget it in their lives. In the early 1980s, I experienced no less of that luck.

Mahaveliya is one of the oldest rivers in Sri Lanka. Its limestone soils are rich in rich minerals washed down from the sands. Therefore, throughout the year, the Mahaweli plains are rich in grass. The lower Mahaweli, which is located on a dry plain, has been able to maintain a large elephant population along the Gandela all the way to the middle of the country because of this natural terrain in the lower Mahaweli. Man has no right to change it. It's true heirs are only the natural forest and wild animals.

(An article provided to a newspaper by Mr. Camillus Vanigasuriya.)

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