Dambana Adivasi Chief Wanaspathi Uruwarige Wannilaeththo said they have neither a permanent income nor arable land with water for cultivation purposes and they can’t practise any other livelihood.
Adivasi Chief Wannilaeththo said, “We are hunters. But we have been banned from going to the wilderness. Today, the most serious issue faced by the indigenous community is the constant clash with the authorities. The laws are in place to deter illegal poaching, sand mining, raiding of archaeological sites and so on but it also bars indigenous people from entering the forest as well.”
He said that nearly 2,500 members of his clan earn their livelihood by collecting and selling rare medicinal herbs and fruits that are grown in the Nilgala forest which is renowned as the herbarium of King Buddhadasa. Now, a large number of outsiders had entered the forest and started destroying the valuable trees that are of medicinal value. Now it is the season of picking Aralu nuts (Terminalia chebula), a valuable herb. Outsiders had entered the forest in search of Aralu nuts as well. They are in the habit of purchasing Aralu nuts from our people at the rate of Rs. 250 per kilogram and sell them in the towns for Rs.2,500 per kilo.
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| Wannilaeththo |
Wannilaeththo said that his clan has been reduced to being living subjects for various people doing research and exhibits for local and foreign visitors. It has become a difficult task to preserve our identity as an indigenous community with a long history, he said.
Some of our members sell herbs and honey while some others perform our traditional dances to earn their living.The Adivasi Chief said indigenous people were the custodians of the jungle for generations. He said that the jungle is no longer theirs and they did not feel responsible for its maintenance.
He said that, “Adivasi people do not kill all the animals as most people think. We were taught by our ancestors to select the most suitable prey. We do not kill an animal drinking water or pregnant animals such as deer and sambar. We also don’t kill four -legged animals giving milk to her young ones.”