The Mullaitivu district encompasses a large land area of the Vanni. Most of this land was gradually swallowed up by jungle after the Portuguese overthrew the Arya Chakravarthi rulers in the North. These same lands have now become a valuable eco system.
Much of the land area where Prabhakaran and his LTTE met its end, that is, the coastal area encompassing the Nandikadal lagoon, Nayaru lagoon, Kokkuthuduwai lagoon, and Kokkilai lagoon had been covered by thick jungle for over 30 years. The road cutting through the jungle from Trincomalee to Mullaitivu was originally built by the British. Mullaitivu functioned as a major base for British forces from 1796, until it fell to Bandara Vanniya in 1803. The British were eventually able to retake Mullaitivu by sending fresh troops through the jungle road mentioned above.
At present, one can use two main roads to get to Mullaitivu. These roads could not be maintained properly during the war years. Currently, the road that one takes after Mankulum junction and turns right after Oddusudan takes one to Mullaitivu. The other way to get to Mullaitivu is through the Puliyankulum road. Mullaitivu town, which is situated on the southern border of the Nandikadal lagoon, was used both as a berth for fishing vessels and a base for foreign traders.
The entire area looks completely flat, and the herds of cattle seen in these areas provide fertilizer for paddy fields and farms in the area. The lagoon and paddy fields are only separated by a thin strip of land. The extraordinary aspect here is that on one side, you get salt water, but on the other side, where the paddy fields are situated, it’s freshwater. Water for paddy fields that lie along the way to Nandikadal lagoon is supplied by two wewas, namely, Kanukkenikuluma Wewa and Palaikadduwankulum Wewa. A massive irrigation canal that connects these Wewas is also located in this area.
The same applies for Nayaru lagoon. Water from several wewas, namely Manal Aru, Paladi Aru, and Naya Aru constantly flow into this lagoon. Diyabethme Wewa, or Thannimuruppukulam Wewa, originates in the Anandakuluma forest reserve where the other Wewas mentioned above also originate. Naganchola and Mullaitivu forest reserves also nourish all small and large waterways in this area. These lands are best suited for traditional rice seeds such as Murungakayan, and Peranelli. Unfortunately, it seems as if youth who traded their farming implements for guns have forgotten their own culture which was so bound to the earth.
As soon as one passes the Nayaru lagoon, one enters a world that most people don’t normally get to see. This is because the coastline from here to Kokkilai lagoon is still in the process of being demined. It is quite clear that this painstaking mission, conducted with the aid of Indian technical expertise, will nevertheless, take quite some time.
The vegetation in this area has been protected for 30 years as they were generally left alone during the 30 year conflict. However, at present, the jungles around Kokthuduwa, or Kokkuthuduwai, which is frequented by storks, are being destroyed. It is understandable that the trees and plants on either side of the roads had to be cleared during the final conflict; however, it is tragic that this narrow strip of land is constantly being reduced.
The stretch of land from Kumalamune to Kokkilai lagoon is still dense jungle. However, there are indications of fisher community settlement in several places. Karawadidukeni is one such place. There are indications that an ancient Wewa existed there. Niranikeni has ruins of an ancient Buddhist Stupa. There is an army base currently on Kokthuduwa hill. One can see ancient Buddhist ruins here as well.
However, there has been no caution exercised when working in this ecosystem. Massive and valuable trees such as Weera, Palu, and Myla have been carelessly cut down. Large gravel filled trenches have been cut into the earth after large swaths of jungle have been cleared. The Nagachola forest reserve, Anandakulum forest reserve, and the stretch of forest running along the Kokkilai lagoon all serve as valuable habitats for local wildlife. If steps are taken to protect the stretch of jungle from Mullaitivu to Kokilai lagoon, it has the potential to serve as a sanctuary for the elephant population, which is currently finding its habitat dwindling every day.
The reason for such destruction is the semi-militarisation of all development projects that are taking place in the north. Aspects such as environmental resources management, land use, and archaeological research are being pushed aside with the primary aim of utilizing all available resources towards making these areas attractive for tourism. This has resulted in the haphazard method of clearing forested land from these areas. The government aims to create a tourist zone that covers this eastern coastline. There are already plans to build a bridge across the Kokkilai lagoon.
The Nayaru, Kokkilai and Kokkuthuduwai lagoons have all been settlements for migratory fishermen centuries. Fishermen, who arrive here from Negambo, set up camp here and engage in fishing for a certain period of time. However, they cause no damage to the environment. Thus, these lagoon areas are more suited for fishing than tourism. If the government takes steps to designate all jungle areas as forest reserves, while excluding the lagoons, then they will serve as a natural and much needed habitat for local wildlife. Such a measure is also needed to conserve designated agricultural zones found here.
http://www.nation.lk/edition/columns/green-nation/item/1921-from-clutches-of-war-to-environmental-degradation
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