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Life At A Garbage Dump In Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

A wild elephant kicks a dog at the garbage dump in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, on February 7, 2024. In Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka (231 km from Colombo), a large garbage dump becomes a place where both animals and people gather. The government collects garbage from houses and brings it here. Workers burn the trash, creating thick smoke, but the dump remains full of activity. Elephants, cows, dogs, birds, crows, and even people come to this place, each searching for something. The elephants are a sad sight. They come looking for food but end up eating harmful things like plastic, rotten food, and other waste. This makes them very sick and can even kill them. Other animals, like stray dogs, cows, and birds, also pick through the garbage, trying to find scraps to eat. Among the animals, a man walks through the trash, collecting empty beer cans to sell. It is how he makes a living, but it is risky. He has to share the space with large elephants and other animals, and the burning garbage creates a smoky, unhealthy environment. This dump shows the problems caused by poor waste management. Burning trash pollutes the air, and the open garbage attracts animals. Wild elephants, which should be in forests, are forced to eat waste, while people face health and safety risks. To fix this, better solutions are needed. Sorting and recycling garbage can reduce the amount dumped here. Burning trash should stop, and proper waste disposal methods should be used instead. Forests must be protected so elephants and other animals have food and space in their natural habitats. Communities also need to learn about safe waste handling and how to live peacefully with wildlife. This garbage dump is a reminder of how badly we treat nature. It is time to take action to protect the environment, wildlife, and the people who live near these places. Together, we can create a cleaner and safer future. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto)

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