Officials warn of predatory risks rising from animals accompanying ‘Pada Yatra’
Wildlife officials and environmentalists have warned that pilgrims bringing animals along on the annual ‘Pada Yathra’ to the Kataragama Esala Festival could attract predatory wild animals when travelling through forests, posing a serious risk to devotees.
The warning was issued during a meeting of the Kataragama Esala Perahera organising committee.
Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre – Ravindra Kumara, told the committee that following the participation of ‘Aloka’, the canine that accompanied the ‘Ehipassiko’ peace walk, some devotees have taken inspiration and have begun bringing their own dogs on the pilgrimage.
Wildlife officials and military personnel cautioned that the presence of dogs could attract wild animals, including leopards, sloth bears and pythons, into areas frequented by pilgrims, creating a significant safety hazard.
Therefore, they urged devotees not to bring animals on the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, reports circulating in the media and on social media earlier revealed that a canine known as ‘Subramaniam’ has voluntarily joined this year’s annual foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to the sacred city of Kataragama.
Related News:
மேலும் படிக்க »
இந்த செய்தியைப் பற்றிய கருத்தை பதிவு செய்யுங்கள். மேலும் இந்த செய்தியை உங்கள் நண்பர்களுடன் பகிர்ந்து கொள்ளுங்கள்.
