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The Mihintale Wildlife Sanctuary, which is believed to be the first sanctuary in
the world, is today in a rather neglected state. There are no proper borders demarcating
the sanctuary and no measures have been taken to protect its biodiversity. However,
the Government has now taken steps to restore this sanctuary to its former state,
in connection with the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations.
Buddhism has a strong link with trees and the environment, with the Buddha being
born, attaining Enlightenment and Parinibbana (passing away), all under the shade
of trees. By paying His gratitude to the bo tree, which helped Him attain Enlightenment,
through the Animisa Lochana pooja, the Buddha displayed the importance of trees,
to the whole world.
The first lesson on protecting animals and trees was given to the world by the Buddha.
Through the first pansil 'Panathipatha Veramani Sikkhapadan Samadiyami', He showed
the importance of protecting all living beings. In the Vana Ropa Sutra, the Buddha
has explained the importance of planting trees and forests, and the benefits thus
accruing.
In His sermons, the Buddha has said that the forests don't seek anything from us
for their survival, while generously donating their produce for our benefit. Forests
protect all living beings; they give shade to even those who cut them down.
Therefore, the Buddha can even be described as the world's first environmentalist.
So it's opportune that we concentrate on the conservation of trees and animals in
this 2550th Buddha Jayanthi year. The link between Buddhism and the environment
in our country grew even stronger with the arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera in the
third century BC. On this day, Sri Lanka's king, Devanampiya Tissa was deer-hunting
in the jungles of Mihintale, Anuradhapura. The sight of the king pursuing a deer
greeted Mahinda Thera on his arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Thera, who stopped the king in his tracks, preached to him that all mammals,
birds and other creatures enjoy an equal right to live in this land, wherever they
may want.
The land belongs to all the people and animals. The king is only the ruler and not
the owner of this land, the Thera said. With that, Mahinda Thera advised King Devanampiya
Tissa to designate Mihintale and the surrounding jungle areas as a sanctuary for
wildlife.
Thus, the area became the first sanctuary, on a Poson Poya day in the third century
BC. This fact has been accepted by all environmentalists and archaeologists, based
on facts in the Mahavamsa and other available documentation.
According to the Director of the Biodiversity Unit of the Environment Ministry Dr.
Gamini Gamage, a sellipi (stone inscription) found at Mihintale stablishes the fact
that the king did command the people of the area not to kill animals or destroy
trees in this area.
Going by all these facts which proves that this area was declared a sanctuary as
far back as more than 2,200 years, and that to date there are no known records of
other wildlife sanctuaries in the world, it would not be wrong to state that the
Mihintale Sanctuary is not merely the oldest, but perhaps the first such sanctuary
in the world.
May be it's time to look into this matter seriously and take necessary steps to
declare it as the world's first wildlife sanctuary, if there are no other claims
from other parts of the world.
The Mihintale Sanctuary is also a part of the area demarcated as the first sanctuary
during the third century BC. It comprises 999.6 hectares or 2,500 acres.All the
mountains and hills of Mihintale, the Kaludiya Pokuna, Mihindu Guhava, Ambasthala
area and the Amba Vanaya, which belong to the Forest Department, come within this
sanctuary.
The biodiversity of this area is high
It comprises trees such as palu, weera, burutha (teak), ebony and milla and mammals
such as elephants, deer, sambhur and bears. Although the area is legally protected,
due to various reasons, such protective measures are not properly enforced. There
aren't even boards designating these two areas as the first sanctuary
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