By Nirmala Kannangara
Although this arrangement came to a halt a few months ago due to pressure from environmentalists in the country, speculation is now rife as to whether these plans would be finally implemented since efforts are being made to amend the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.
“What is the reason to amend the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance within a short period of time since it was amended last in 2009? Could this move be to implement the once stalled plan to export colourful snakes to Germany as pets?” Zoologist Dilan Peiris asked.
According to Peiris, this plan was to be initiated as a BOI project and three German nationals were in Sri Lanka a few months ago to sign the agreement.
“If this plan is to be implemented then the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance would have to be amended as there are no provisions to export these snakes. Only four varieties have been omitted from the Ordinance since they are being sent abroad to test for anti-venom medicine,” said Peiris. According to him, the Cobra, Indian Krait, Russell’s Viper and the Saw-scaled Viper are not included in the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and there are no restrictions to send them abroad.
“Under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance it is a non-bailable offence to keep, kill, mate or export the listed snakes,” he added.
Peiris further said that there are 101 varieties of snakes in the country out of which 51 have been identified as endemic species. According to him ,there are many varieties of colourful and attractive varieties of snakes in the country including cobras, flying snakes, cat snakes, green pit vipers, Ceylon kraits, wolf snakes and pipe snakes, etc.
“Sri Lanka is country rich in bio-diversity. After these species are exported and once they obtain the patent we cannot have any claim to these snakes being endemic to Sri Lanka. In addition once they are taken to Germany they will mate them and increase the population of these species and then will have no need to import them from Sri Lanka anymore and the tourist attraction will divert to Germany,” claimed Peiris
“What is the reason to amend the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance within a short period of time since it was amended last in 2009? Could this move be to implement the once stalled plan to export colourful snakes to Germany as pets?” Zoologist Dilan Peiris asked.
According to Peiris, this plan was to be initiated as a BOI project and three German nationals were in Sri Lanka a few months ago to sign the agreement.
“If this plan is to be implemented then the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance would have to be amended as there are no provisions to export these snakes. Only four varieties have been omitted from the Ordinance since they are being sent abroad to test for anti-venom medicine,” said Peiris. According to him, the Cobra, Indian Krait, Russell’s Viper and the Saw-scaled Viper are not included in the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and there are no restrictions to send them abroad.
“Under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance it is a non-bailable offence to keep, kill, mate or export the listed snakes,” he added.
Peiris further said that there are 101 varieties of snakes in the country out of which 51 have been identified as endemic species. According to him ,there are many varieties of colourful and attractive varieties of snakes in the country including cobras, flying snakes, cat snakes, green pit vipers, Ceylon kraits, wolf snakes and pipe snakes, etc.
“Sri Lanka is country rich in bio-diversity. After these species are exported and once they obtain the patent we cannot have any claim to these snakes being endemic to Sri Lanka. In addition once they are taken to Germany they will mate them and increase the population of these species and then will have no need to import them from Sri Lanka anymore and the tourist attraction will divert to Germany,” claimed Peiris
Source: http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/07/31/amending-fauna-and-flora-law-can-harm-biodiversity/
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