A 30-year odyssey of a Buddhist monk to protect a national heritage

by Saman Indrajith

Ven Vanawasi Rahula Thera is not a person who needs an introduction as his legendary role in founding the National Ironwood Forest (Jathika Namal Uyana) at Galkiriyagama in Dambulla and protecting it for the past three decades is well known. But for him Namal Uyana would have been bulldozed and the trees would have been cut down as the country had witnessed a widespread deforestation with blessings of those in power in those 30 years.

March 28 of this year marks the 31st anniversary of the Namal Uyana. In 1991, Ven Rahula made his ashram at this site in the dense forest which has historic, archaeological, geographic as well as religious value. The site is considered very rich in biodiversity. Today, the Namal Uyana is considered the largest ironwood forest in the country and the home to the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia.

To coincide with the anniversary Ven Rahula Thero took the lead to form JNUIEO (Jathika Namal Uyana International Ecological Organisation) to ensure the sustainability of the campaign he started three decades back. “It is not sure that those in power understand the value of this site except in rupees and cents. People of this generation will stand by me to prevent any harm to it. The site is now internationally recognized and forming an international organisation will ensure its protection and benefits for the future generations,” Ven Rahula Thero said in an interview with the Sunday Island.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: A period of 30 years is almost a generation. You have been protecting this site for that long. How would you describe that past?

A

: This site was not populated when I arrived here. I think it was I who first brought it to the notice of the public after the times of ancient kings. According to the legend, King Devanampiyatissa had plans to set up a religious park somewhere near Dambulla. It is said that the work had commenced but owing to some unexpected reasons the King’s plans did not succeed and he was compelled to move the proposed site for that park to his capital city in Anuradhapura.

He established that religious park and named it as Mahamevuna Uyana. What happened to the abandoned site in Dambulla for the next few centuries was a mystery. Later during the times of King Dappula IV, the abandoned garden was found and it was declared as a human sanctuary and a monastery was said to have been set up. An inscription by the King Dappula IV declaring the religious site as a human sanctuary can still be seen at Adiyagala at the entrance to Namal Uyana.

When I arrived here it was dense forest. I was determined that this site should be protected for the posterity and built a hut on a Mora tree and started living there on March 28, 1991. There had been many threats to the environment and especially the pink quartz site. I fought against those threats and with the help of the media and people so that we could protect this site. Today school children, local and foreign tourists arrive here because it is now known as the largest ironwood forest in the country and the home to the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia.

The site covers around 2,000 acres. Surrounding areas have benefited with infrastructure development because the Namal Uyana has become a tourist attraction. I think I have done my duty as a Bhikkhu as well as a citizen. I did not build sky-scraping stupas or Buddha statues but protected and preserved a forest that can help all beings to breathe the oxygen they need. In addition, the park is rich in biodiversity. Although there is no complete documentation on the fauna and flora species found in this forest, it is believed that there are over 102 plant species out of which 85 per cent are of medicinal value. In addition there are over 18 species of birds and a large number of animals except the leopard and the bear. Many reptile, insect, butterfly and fish species are also found here. The Mesua nagssarium (Batu Na) is endemic to Sri Lanka. The ironwood tree was declared the national tree by former President Ranasinghe Premadasa on July 26, 1996.

Q: What is the need and objectives of the forming of an international organization?

A:

I have been protecting this park now for three decades. Later I handed this over to the Central Cultural Fund. By doing so I thought of reliving myself of all ties to it to further my religious aspirations. Yet, it seems that my task is not completed because I have doubts whether the future generation would be able to benefit from this park as many of those in power see only the monetary value of natural resources.

This park with the pink quartz mountain is said to be over 550 million years old. According to archaeologists the site had been in existence even during the proto-historic period of this country. One of the objectives is to allow any student whether Sri Lankan or foreign to come here and study its natural and other resources. This park is open to anyone irrespective of religion, colour, politics and race. It may serve the need of an educational centre while its protection is ensured. Currently, the site has become a centre promoting environmental and nature tourism and education. This status should continue with further facilities. The new organization will allow not only Sri Lankans but also foreigners to take part in preserving this heritage for posterity.

Q: Could you please explain the structural and organizational nature of JNUIEO?

A:

JNUIEO is registered body managed by a board of directors. Apart from that board we intend to open the membership to 100,000 Lankans countrywide in three categories – honorary, lifetime and working. We hope to appoint organizers in foreign countries as well as in Sri Lanka at electorate and district levels. This would be a secular organization since we are against religious extremism. It would remain non-political because we do not support any political party. There are many other organizations in the country to achieve such objectives.

I do not think ensuring of environmental and natural resource protection could be done by an organization that supports a political agenda. We are not against the development like some other green organizations but emphasize the need to strike a balance between the environment protection and development. This has been made an international body because the handful of environmental protection bodies in the country have no proper management skills. We may be able to bring in international persons with such skills and knowledge to ensure the protection of Namal Uyana.

Q: Do you think that the government would help you in this endeavor?

A:

Well…I have experiences of working with all Presidents since 1991 and other public officials. I could say that I have received lot of assistance rather than hindrances. Since I am non-partisan I had no problem of approaching or working with any of those heads of state and government so far. They have helped me time to time and sometimes have provided resource persons too.

Q: Any special message to our readers?

A:

I must thank Upali Newspapers Ltd and other media organizations for standing by me during the past whenever I campaigned to protect Namal Uyana. I hope that they would continue their services to protect this site in future. I invite anyone with an interest to preserve this national heritage to join hands with us.