• Balancing tradition and conservation

The ancient pilgrimage of Pada Yatra, a journey undertaken by Hindu devotees from Jaffna to Kataragama, has long been a revered tradition deeply embedded in Hindu religious and cultural values. However, this sacred journey has evolved into a significant threat to the existence of the Yala and Kumana National Parks, straying far from its original religious and cultural identity.

Since ancient times, the Pada Yatra has been a test of faith and endurance. Pilgrims, driven by devotion, endure gruelling conditions to pay homage at the Kataragama Shrine. Supun Prakash, a conservationist and researcher, shed light on the evolving nature of this pilgrimage. “The Pada Yatra offers a rare opportunity to traverse Sri Lanka’s national parks without the usual entrance fees and permissions,” Prakash explained.

“This loophole attracts individuals who exploit the pilgrimage for narrow needs, including so-called environmentalists, wildlife photographers, and adventure travellers, which undermines the religious and cultural values of the Kataragama Pada Yatra,” he shared.

Traditionally, the pilgrimage was characterised by its simplicity and minimal environmental impact. Devotees carried only what they could, relied on natural water sources, and left no trace of their passage. However, the modern incarnation of the Pada Yatra has seen a dramatic shift.

Exploitation of the pilgrimage route

The free access granted to pilgrims has led to an influx of participants who do not adhere to the same principles of simplicity and respect for nature. This year, the gate of Kumana National Park opened on 30 June, allowing participants from across the island to enter, and closed again on 12 July. Since the end of the internal conflict, the number of pilgrims has steadily increased, reaching approximately 32,000 this year. Despite the genuine devotion of many pilgrims, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has raised concerns about the detrimental impact of such large numbers on the environment.

“True devotees undertake the pilgrimage with minimal impact on the environment,” DWC Deputy Director Ranjan Marasinghe noted. “However, the influx of individuals who require additional facilities, such as bottled water and health services, and the intervention of the military have significantly altered the nature of the journey and its impact on wildlife.”

During the internal conflict, the military counted pilgrims to prevent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists from travelling south via this route. Post-conflict, security forces continued to provide water and food to pilgrims, leading to a surge in participant numbers. This year, Prakash said, the Sri Lanka Navy installed a reverse osmosis water purification plant within the park and sent a large contingent of troops to accompany a senior officer on the pilgrimage. He claimed this group engaged in activities detrimental to the park’s natural ecosystems, including driving vehicles through the park, disrupting wildlife, and building temporary facilities.

“The disturbance caused by vehicles and large groups affects the natural behaviour of wildlife,” said Prakash. “Elephants, leopards, and bears are particularly sensitive, and the presence of so many people drives them away from their natural habitats, disappointing tourists who come with the hope of seeing these majestic animals.”

Moreover, the Pada Yatra has been exploited by organisers of ‘dansal’, representatives of public and private sectors, and even some claiming to conduct health camps. These groups, often travelling in luxury vehicles, disrupt wildlife with high-powered lights at night and engage in other harmful activities, further straining the already fragile ecosystems of Yala and Kumana.

Dansal and their role in the pilgrimage

“Tourists entering national parks are required to be accompanied by a DWC guide or a safari jeep driver accountable to the department,” Marasinghe emphasised. “However, during the pilgrimage, thousands roam freely without such supervision, leading to pollution of water sources, disruption of wildlife patterns, and other environmental impacts.”

Pilgrims traditionally walked for miles, preparing simple meals and camping in open fields. Yet, recent changes have transformed the rigorous pilgrimage into a festival-like event, increasing the number of participants and escalating the environmental toll. The DWC has urged all levels of management, from the Director General of Wildlife to the wardens of Yala and Kumana National Parks, to pay more attention when granting approvals and to implement stricter monitoring measures.

During this season, representatives of various public and private sectors enter the protected area to give alms. This includes environmentalists, wildlife photographers, and individuals claiming to conduct health camps. They are accused of roaming around in their large vehicles, flashing strong beams of light that disturb wildlife at night. Such activities are detrimental to wildlife conservation.

Even tourists who enter a national park after purchasing the relevant ticket and obtaining proper permits are only allowed to travel within the park between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Prakash pointed out, saying it was unacceptable that the aforementioned parties enter the park during this pilgrimage season under various pretexts and exploit the permission granted by the DWC in violation of conservation laws.

“Specifically, there are allegations that organisers of almsgiving from Dalada Maligawa, who book the Parana Thotupola tourist bungalow in Yala Block 1, use the almsgiving as a pretext to travel both day and night from Parana Thotupola to Pilinnawa (and beyond) in Block 2, where they organise almsgiving. Additionally, a significant number of individuals has entered the park claiming to conduct rice and chickpea almsgiving in the Lin Thuna and Kebellewela areas of Block 2 without restraint,” he said.

A call for responsible management

As the pilgrimage season concludes, the challenge remains: how to balance the deep cultural and religious significance of the Pada Yatra with the urgent need for wildlife conservation. The future of Sri Lanka’s national parks depends on finding this delicate balance, ensuring that tradition and conservation can coexist harmoniously.

“The Pada Yatra should not be exploited for short-term entertainment or personal gain,” said Prakash. “It is crucial to safeguard wildlife and prevent the misuse of this ancient pilgrimage. Responsible actions must be taken to ensure that this tradition continues without compromising the integrity of our national parks.”

Prakash further highlighted the need for strict monitoring and regulation. “With a few exceptions, tourists entering the national parks of Sri Lanka are required to be accompanied by a tour guide provided by the DWC. Alternatively, they should be accompanied by safari jeep drivers who are accountable to the department. However, for nearly a fortnight, tens of thousands of outsiders have been freely roaming in Blocks 1 and 2 of Kumana and Yala National Parks without following any such guides. Therefore, it is crucial for the DWC to closely monitor these situations. In this context, as mentioned earlier, the use of Defender vehicles for roaming and disturbing wildlife with high-powered lights openly even at night, along with activities like filming with drone cameras, indicate a lack of effective monitoring.”

The prolonged presence of a large number of people in wildlife reserves leads to various environmental effects, such as disrupting natural behaviour patterns of wildlife and polluting natural ecosystems and water sources with sewage and waste. As the number of tourists increases, so does the impact. The transformation of the Pada Yatra from a rigorous pilgrimage to a festival is expected to further increase tourist numbers and escalate the environmental impacts.

Therefore, it is crucial that all levels of management within the DWC pay more attention when granting relevant approvals. “It is also the responsibility of the Government to allocate wildlife conservation officers and essential infrastructure to closely monitor human activities and resulting situations, and to implement necessary urgent measures without hesitation. We want to emphasise that governors, religious leaders, and representatives of all public and private sectors have a duty towards ensuring that this ancient pilgrimage is not exploited for short-term entertainment, and that government funds are not wasted on related fraudulent activities. Responsible actions must be taken to safeguard wildlife and prevent the misuse of this opportunity to bypass environmental regulations,” Prakash noted.

The influence of Pada Yatra on wildlife

The adverse impacts on wildlife and their habitats have been profound. Elephants, leopards, and bears, among other species, face significant disruptions. Vehicles and large groups not only drive away these animals but also alter their natural behaviour patterns. This human-induced stress can lead to long-term ecological consequences, affecting everything from animal mating habits to feeding patterns.

A participant in this year’s Pada Yatra, a devotee named Ramesh, shared his concerns when inquired about this situation. “We come here with deep devotion, willing to endure hardships to show our faith. However, seeing the military and other non-devotees exploiting this sacred journey for their purposes is disheartening. It feels like our tradition is being hijacked.”

The Pada Yatra pilgrimage is a vital cultural and religious event for many devotees. Still, its impact on the environment, especially on the fragile ecosystems of Yala and Kumana National Parks, cannot be ignored. There needs to be a concerted effort by all stakeholders, including the DWC, religious leaders, and government officials, to ensure that this tradition can continue without further harming the environment.

Stricter regulations, effective monitoring, and a return to the pilgrimage’s roots of simplicity and respect for nature are essential steps in this direction. Only through such measures can we hope to preserve both our cultural heritage and our natural treasures for future generations.