Reopening Nonpareil road to Horton plains would endanger wildlife

The road from Nonpareil village in Belihuloya when opened will give access to Horton Plains, as shown in the picture

The decision of the political authority to re-open the road through Nonpareil village in Belihuloya to Horton Plains, which had been left to the mercy of the jungle, has been met with protests from environmental organisations. The main object of reopening the road coincides with the government’s plan to boost tourism in the area. 

Environmental organisations have taken up the position that the re-opening of the road would cause extensive environmental damage to the highly sensitive environmental zone through which the road runs.

The three kilometre road from Nonpareil village in Galpottaketiya Grama Niladhari area in Imbulpe division in the district of Ratnapura to the Horton plains runs through the proposed Rattanagolla forest reserve and the Samanala Forest Reserve.

The French term nonpareil means “not the same” in English. Nonpareil has become ‘nonperial’ down the ages. At present this village is within an area under the purview of Balangoda Plantation Company. The Bakers Bend and Nagrack Bungalow that draws the attraction of tourists are located in Nonpareil village. To clear up the confusion, the name is also spelt as Nanperial while the estate retains the original French name of Nonpareil.

Horton Plains has been a paradise of mainstream tourism in the country and a highly sensitive environmental zone rich in water resources and bio-diversity. 

Environmental Organisations that protest against the project have pointed out that three convenient access roads to Horton Plains were already available for tourists and the opening of another road creating environmental issues would not serve any purpose and is not advisable. 

In pursuance of a decision taken by Ratnapura District Coordinating Committee on January 09, 2020, the ruling party politicians including then Chairman of the Imbulpe Pradeshiya Sabha endeavoured to re-open this road, but it failed due to the disapproval of the Department of Wildlife and environmental organisations.

It is significant that the proposal to re-open the road has emerged through the Ratnapura District Coordinating Committee itself.

Environmentalist Seth Muhandiram pointed out that the road from Nagrack to Horton Plains runs through a highly sensitive environmental zone linking Samanala forest reserve and the Horton Plains. He said it is a serene wilderness teeming with wild animals and endemic birds.

“The proposed project would catch up with the migratory passage and the breeding ground of animals. It forms the catchment area of the Belihuloya River as well. Horton Plains is an area with meadows and minimum forest cover while Nonpareil is an area covered with virgin forest rich in tranquil beauty in the vicinity of Horton Plains.  It is a territory of leopards and the home of many species of endemic animals and birdlife.

“It is the haven of  many rare species of animals including Brown Wood Owl, Antelope, Deer, Muntjac, Wild Pig, Kinkajou, Giant Squirrel, Red Slender Loris and Hill Country Loris, a mammal endemic to  the Nonpareil Forest Reserve,  the  Bear Monkey, the Mongoose and several species of amphibians.  What is more important are the plant life endemic to Nonpareil jungles. 

“The individuals attempting to reopen the road are ignorant of the environmental damage it would cause to this highly sensitive environmental zone harbouring many an endemic animal and birdlife. If this road reopened, it is inevitable that the travellers would cause damage to plant life. It is already going on in Horton Plains. The damage done to the environment could not be restored. Meanwhile, the opening of the road would open the gate to gene exploitation. We have experienced the theft of animal and plant samples.  The culprits had been brought to book in several instances. 

“We request the authorities to close the area from Nagrack to Horton Plains through Nonpareil which facilitates the movement of the public. The access road to the village should be improved and tourists must be allowed to explore the scenic beauty of Gommolliya and Hawagala mountain range, and Balangoda plateau covered with dense mist, but the environmental zone should be left alone. Any plan to develop tourism in the country should not result in environmental damage to the world heritage or the primeval forests forming sensitive environmental zones and catchments,” Seth Muhandiram added.