4 Saturday 28th May, 2011 The Island Home News North poised for greater economic Elephant problem is growth -CB A fast recovery of economic activities was taking place in the Northern Province since the end of the con- flict in May 2009, stated the Central Bank. The Northern Province development programme, ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ (Wadakkil Wasantham), which was attrition, not extinction’ initiated just after the ending of the conflict to expedite resettlement, support livelihood and development of New Delhi, May 24, 2011: infrastructure in the province has been continuing suc- While tiger face extinction, the cessfully. elephants have to deal with attri- Protecting tuskers important for Sri Lanka: Minister The gross extent of land used for paddy cultivation in tion. Forest ministers from eight the Northern Province increased by 179 per cent to countries deliberated on New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) The visiting minister took 67,003 hectares in the 2010/11 Maha season from Tuesday on how to protect peo- Sri Lanka will strengthen its part in an international confer- 24,051 hectares in the 2009/10 Maha season. ple from rising elephant popula- policies to save elephants, ence on elephants. He said Sri This resulted in increasing paddy production to tion from around the world. according to the country’s Lanka had a “sizeable popula- 205,507 metric tons in 2010/11 a 112 percent increase Elephant number around the Minister of Environment tion of 6,000 elephants”. compared to the 2009/10 Maha season. The highest world has remained almost con- Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. “The government is mindful increases in the extent of paddy cultivation were reported stant at 5.5 lakh but huge “The elephant is of special of the need to ensure the long in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts. destruction of their habitat importance to both Buddhists term survival of the elephant.” It is also estimated that the total extent of land used about 20% in last 20 years has for cultivation of other food crops (OFC) including veg- meant increase in human-ele- and Hindus in Sri Lanka. The Yapa The meet on elephant also etables also increased significantly in the Northern phant conflict. government has set aside 14 drew participants from Province by 172 per cent to 20,043 ha in the 2010/11 “It is an issue of concern for percent of the country as pro- Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Maha season from 7,342 hectares in the 2009/10 Maha all of us,” environment minister tected areas for conservation of Indonesia, Tanzania and Thailand season. Jairam Ramesh said, while wildlife,” Yapa said here. besides India. Further, the extent of land cultivated increased in adopting a resolution with seven relation to Big onions, Maize, Cowpea, Black gram and other ministers to engage local most parts of the country. Ground nuts amongst other food crops. In addition, the communities in inclusive manner to man- ects in Central India were the biggest The minister said that one of the rec- Chilla-Motichur corridor in total marine fish production increased by 58 per cent to age the conflict and work together for ele- threat to elephants and called for a strik- ommendations of the Elephant Task Force Uttarakhand has become a new conflict 33,600 mt in 2010. A substantial increase in fish produc- phant conservation. “Unlike the tiger, ing a balance between mining projects and last year was for India to take a lead in zone with resettlement of Tehri dam evac- tion is expected in 2011. which faces threat of extinction, the ele- elephant corridors. global elephant conservation. “The dele- uees, high road and railway traffic and an Banking facilities have been strengthened in the phant faces threats of attrition because of The Union Cabinet had agreed to the gates present here represent two-third of ammunition dump. Another is Similipal- Northern Province by establishing 37 new bank branch- increase in biotic pressure on their habitat National Elephant Conservation the world’s wild elephant population. Satkosia in Orissa, where encroachment of es and 22 extension offices from May 2009 to May destruction”. Authority (NECA) on the lines of the one Later in 2013 we will bring in all the 50 ele- the corridor by settlers and degradation of 2011. At the same time, co-operatives and supermarket India has over 27,000 elephants, an for tigers for promoting elephant conser- phant range countries together to deliber- the forest cover has resulted in at least five chains have increased their ties with farmers, to pur- increase from over 21,000 in over six years vation and protection but asked the min- ate and actively cooperate for elephant elephant deaths. In Buxa-Ripu at Sankosh, chase their produce. in 26 elephant reserves spread over an area istry to seek Finance Ministry’s approval. conservation and welfare,” he said. West Bengal and Assam, degradation of The number of telephone connections in the of 1.10 lakh square kms, more than the The authority will examine new projects Other than India, ministers of forest and biotic pressure from two vil- Northern Province, including wire lines, wireless, local area of Congo. Only 65 percent of the cor- in elephant zones and frame policies for Botswana, Republic of Congo, Indonesia, lages has forced elephants to frequently loops, CDMA and payphones increased by 89 per cent ridors are in the protected areas and huge improving the habitats. The government Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand raid the villages. to 74,742 in 2009 from 46,919 in 2008, while the vehicle fragmentation has been reported from had last year declared Elephant as the participated at the day long Ramesh highlighted that mining proj- stock in the Northern Province increased to 47,031 in National Heritage Animal of the country. conference.(Hindustan Times) 2009 from 39,740 in 2008, an increase of 18 per cent. Sri Lanka... From page 1 Ritual Performances of The overall objective of the project to be com- pleted within three years, was to improve planning and delivery of priority infrastructure and local Kerala - A slide lecture services in the Metro Colombo Region, he said Eminent Indian Artist Balan adding that it will reduce the occurrence of floods, Nambiar is scheduled to present a enhance the institutional capacity of local authori- slide lecture entitled ‘Ritual ties and also help in the implementation of medi- Performances of Kerala’ at the Indian um and small scale infrastructure projects. Cultural Centre, Colombo 7 on May 30 Abeywardena said that the government will at 6.30 p.m. bear the initial cost of Rs.50 million required to Balan Nambiar is a painter, sculp- establish the Project Management Unit. tor, enamellist, photographer and a research scholar. His paintings and sculptures have received national and War victory... From page 1 international acclaim and his works Nanthikadal lagoon. are in the National Gallery of Modern The parade included tri-services and police con- Arts and four Museums in India. tingents involved in action in the Eastern, Jaffna and He is the recipient of various Vanni theatres from June 2006 to May 2009. The awards including the National award army announced yesterday how 57 Division fighting of Lalit Kala Akademi, the State award on the Vanni front had faced a severe chemical of Karnataka LKA for his creative attack before liberating Kilinochchi in the first week works and the Senior Fellowship of the of Jan. 2009. Indian Ministry of Culture and the The Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Sinha Regiment, prestigious Nehru Fellowship for his Gemunu Watch, Gajaba Regiment, Vijayaba Infantry academic research work. Regiment (credited with killing Prabhakaran), Sri Nambiar’s two important works can Lanka National Guard, armour and artillery as well be found in JNCASR. His latest work as support formations joined the parade. The elite (2010) is a monumental sculpture in Commandos, Special Forces, Special Task Force, stainless steel, titled ‘The Sky is the Special Boat Squadron and Rapid Action Boat Limit’ for IOC, Delhi. Squadron also took part in the parade. The Air Force and the Navy displayed some of their assets, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Rains cause... and a range of communication and radar equipment. From On display were arms, ammunition and equipment page 1 acquired from different countries over the past 30 Kodippili said that years. Sri Lanka had never made a genuine attempt people on the banks to standardize the armaments and equipment prima- of the Kelani river, rily due to financial constraints and unwillingness on from Avissawella to Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne makes a financial donation to Chief Incumbent of the Doluva Raja Maha Vihara Ven Udagama the part of some countries to provide wherewithal to Colombo, had been Gnaneswara thero during a ceremony held at the Doluva Divisional Secretariat to promote 2600 Dhamma schools to mark the it for political reasons. advised to vacate the 2600 Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrations recently. The army included a contingent of snipers as area as the river’s well in the parade. water levels had Kfir multi-role attack aircraft first acquired in Jan. risen. 1996 were not included in the fly past as the famous Meanwhile, the Meteorology No 10 Squadron is grounded since May 1 mid-air From page 1 Department warned that rains could University... collision, which destroyed two fighters and killed an continue for a few more days as pre- Addressing the Z – score cut off for these courses. the end of the July. experienced pilot. monsoonal conditions were active. marks launching ceremony, Additional Dr. Premakumara said that 233,609 UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini The parade ended with trucks carrying groups of Meteorologist–in–Charge Gayana Secretary to the UGC Dr.