of natural resources. Half a century of sustained investments in health and education of the people has helped reduce population growth rates, and achieved high levels of human development. But as absolute numbers continue to grow, and as aspirations rise, the demand for resources continues to increase, taking a heavy toll on the natural environment.

How this developing nation is coping with pressures of development and challenges of conservation is the central theme of this half hour magazine programme, produced in late 1997 by TVE International and SLETP for the Earth Report second series. It was broadcast on BBC World television in early 1998. Sri Lanka was one of several countries from where weekly ‘roadshows’ were presented in this series, taking the format of a travelogue. The following five stories are featured on this programme:

• The on-going human-elephant conflict – essentially, a conflict for land -- has left hundreds dead on both sides. This story highlights the efforts of community groups in Kahalle-Pallekele in the North-Western Province to develop non-destructive ways of repelling elephants.
• The elephant orphanage In Pinnawela offers some good news: it started as a safe haven for baby elephants whose parents met with violent deaths, but has since expanded to become a major tourist attraction, and a centre for captive breeding of elephants.
• Travelling to Dambana, Mahiyangana, the Earth Report team meets the Veddahs, Sri Lanka’s indigenous people whose traditional way of life was disrupted when the Maduru Oya National Park was created in their forestland in 1984. (Veddah Chief Tissahamy, who was interviewed for this programme, died a few months later – and in August 1998, the government conceded some of the tribe’s demands.)
• Coral reefs along many Sri Lankan coasts have been damaged or destroyed by illegal mining and unsafe fishery practices. Persistent efforts by the Coast Conservation Department have helped reduce mining in recent years. The programme interviews a government official who is at the forefront to protect the remaining reefs.
• Not all news from the coastal belt is as good. Several species of marine turtles visit Sri Lankan beaches to lay eggs, but hatchlings have very little chance due to poaching and coastal activities. Even many turtle hatcheries that were started as temporary sanctuaries for eggs and hatchlings have now become tourist attractions, often neglecting their conservation purpose.

Director: Marc de Beaufort
Series Editor: Robert Lamb
Executive Producer: Nalaka Gunawardene

Price: Rs. 1,000 per tape