December 08, Colombo (LNW): The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has strongly condemned a recent statement made by Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, which suggested that farmers have the freedom to determine how to deal with animals damaging their crops.
Legal advisor to the CEJ Ravindranath Dabare voiced his concerns, describing the government’s stance as unacceptable and legally flawed.
In his remarks made in Parliament on December 05, Minister Lal Kantha asserted that there are no legal restrictions on farmers when it comes to dealing with animals that cause harm to their crops.
His comments sparked immediate protests from various environmental groups, who expressed their alarm at the potential consequences of such a statement.
Dabare pointed out significant flaws in the Minister’s argument, emphasising the potential legal ramifications of encouraging such actions.
“When a responsible Minister makes such statements, it gives the impression that people have permission to kill any animal that causes damage to their crops,” Dabare said.
He stressed that this could lead to a widespread misunderstanding of the laws in place to protect wildlife in Sri Lanka.
The legal advisor specifically drew attention to the protection afforded to certain animals, notably elephants, under Sri Lanka’s Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. According to the 12th clause of the ordinance, elephants are granted special legal protection, and killing one, even in response to crop damage, is a criminal offence.
Similarly, peacocks are also protected under the same legislation, and it is illegal to harm or kill them.
Dabare warned that the Minister’s comments could mislead farmers into believing they have the legal right to harm or kill these species.
“Statements made without a full understanding of the relevant laws can lead to dangerous misunderstandings, with people thinking they have the right to kill protected animals,” Dabare emphasised.
He called on the government to take a more responsible approach to addressing the issue of crop damage caused by animals, urging the exploration of alternative solutions that do not involve harm to wildlife.
Despite the legal protections in place, many farmers have raised concerns about the significant damage caused by animals to their crops. Reports suggest that paddy fields have been especially affected, with animals such as parrots, peacocks, and toque macaques being identified as major culprits behind extensive crop losses.
Farmers have expressed frustration over the lack of effective measures to prevent such damage, calling for immediate action from the government to protect their livelihoods.
Dabare concluded by advocating for more sustainable and humane solutions to address the conflict between agricultural production and wildlife conservation, stressing that the government must take a proactive role in providing guidance and support to farmers, rather than resorting to statements that may lead to harm being inflicted on vulnerable species.
