Final Word

Final Assault of thoughts and observations:

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My journey on Migration and species spread in select provinces in Sri Lanka, discovered relationships that are symbiotic as well as of discordance, within communities and ecosystems. 

The travelling was done away from the obvious urban suburbs and main towns, but in areas with less focus; the stories that appeared were multi layered and took on varied directions that are not directly linked or thought of in terms of migration and movement.

I myself explored the concept of Home, both literally and metaphorically and at times came across situations of alliance which were two way mutually favourable mechanisms.

One constant observation on translocation and migration was that successful integration is never far away from conformity and loss of identity.

Assimilation warrants homogenizing on most counts.

And even in a minute scale, those around me engineered and reworked themselves to accommodate something new - me and what I represent.

I found, homogenizing, a natural phenomenon of assimilation and integration. Interestingly it is the later generations that are more conscious of their migrant state or loss of ethnic/species identifications.  

Is it possible to conclude that assimilation/integration from both sides is a triumph, and not be dismissed as submission or loss of any kind; rather a birth of a new presence than an absence?

These are conflicting questions. Dilemmas.

 

Integration occurs ecologically as well as in human terms because of the natives accepting the new species, or migrant/visitor accepting or challenging the conditions of the existing system as necessary to propagate or spread. It could be both or one or the other. 

 My own behavioral pattern at each given place indicates conscious change. 

I am aware that I settled into spaces seamlessly and jarringly, both. 

Harmoniously and disruptively. 

In turn, there were similar reactions at my entry and presence.

The aspect of “rationality” in the non-human world mostly does not exist (there are ongoing studies on this, though) and it is pure ecological processes that determine whether a species can establish itself. 

But in the human world there are conscious decisions and choices of reasoning made in assimilation and spread.

 When voices and perspectives of different groups come together, it automatically creates an ideal base for inclusive, participatory and reciprocal engagement in a community. It further activates and integrates successfully, an already established system. 

 

In most instances human translocation cannot cause the complete upheaval of a solid state.

Alternatively, a species migration can have a larger impact on the balance of an ecosystem as it is governed by different natural laws.

But both non-native humans and species are quick to identify weaknesses, needs and loopholes in a Receiving system, and move to establish, dominate and/or fulfill those needs, lapses and spaces. At times alternatives not thought of or unfamiliar to an established system, are born with new entrants. New visitors to the host system bring forth a higher aggression of spirit and drive, which is noticed in both human and species translocation.

The acceptance of humans and species both depend on the receiving Ecosystem and community; to which level, adaptation or any disruption may occur.

Then a more balanced and pragmatic view of species/ human spread is paramount and it could be that a clear cut approach to conservation is futile; a pluralistic perspective is the way forward.

 

Another observation is that the difficulty of recognizing needs, opportunities and weaknesses by the established species in an idiosyncratic, dormant, flagging and complacent state. An alien/visitor can be more agile, robust and innovative in reviving or completely changing a system. 

Interventions can go either way; it can facilitate cohesion, revival and a more pluralistic multi-dimensional society and Ecosystem; in various cases it has dominated or been the cause of extinction of native species. 

Can it be argued that some of these instances of extinction lay bare the glaring weaknesses in a system for us to take note of and attend to?

 

If we go back in history to a fundamental spiritual point, acceptance or welcoming a stranger is not an outdated concept. Can its relevance be applied to an alien or new species in our midst?

As mentioned before, perhaps timely agitation or intervention IS needed to revive a flagging system or a society on the decline and less dynamic.

To revive, restore and rejuvenate for more efficient performance or simply, survival.

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Visual Treatment:

1.

Ninety select slides from the repository of images captured on the road used as a base for panels that line up linear in an unbroken strip, much like the journey. 

Despite the disharmony of images side by side of the first layer/base, the final look of each panel is built up into a cohesive harmonious scape, with illustrated details of stories from the blog and Alien species, white-outs; further juxtaposed with the shape of the Triangle - inspired by a traffic symbol of giving-way/ consideration; and symbiotic mycorrhizae like cut outs.

Each slide finds a way of flowing to the next in spite of the jarring mismatch due to intervention and adjustment of various elements creating a seamless work of over sixty feet.

2.

Video

3.

facingmaha.blogspot.com