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| Sunday, 30 May 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Environment June 5 is World Environmental Day : Please protect our seas by Vimukthi Fernando 'Wanted! seas and oceans' the cry resounds over the globe as the World Environment Day approaches. And the question that is raised is 'Wanted! seas and oceans - dead or alive?' The seas and oceans of the world seems to be finally getting attention from the world community. Seas and oceans stretching beyond boundaries be they country, region or continent had been the food supplier, mode of travel and dumping ground of humanity for centuries. And now, some of the sea areas, unable to bear the stress of human intervention and resulting climatic changes are more dead than alive and environmentalists and conservationists are engaged in the ever slow process of rejuvenating these areas. Bio-diversity Why is it vital to protect the seas and oceans? In the first instance,
it needs to be remembered that 'life' originated therein. It is in the
seas that the first bacteria and viruses were born. It also needs to be
kept in mind that part of the seas and oceans, the marine organisms their
behaviour and peculiarities still remain a mystery. Though the
bio-diversity of the sea requires more exploration and understanding, it
has been found that out of the 33 animal phyla, 32 are found in the sea. And the temperatures of the vast sea surfaces originate and influence monsoons, cyclones and weather patterns such as El Nino. The fact that 60 percent of the global population occupy coastal areas adds to the vulnerability and fragility of the seas. The Indian ocean is a highly vulnerable area. Commenting on the bio-diversity of the seas and coastal areas of the Indian sub-continent the IUCN states that "The South and Southeast Asian region in particular displays one of, if not the highest, coastal and marine bio-diversity in the world, covering a varied range of ecosystems such as coastal lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, marshlands and deep sea trenches." And Sri Lanka recognised as a bio-diversity hot spot with an abundance of bio-diversity marine and land, cannot turn a blind eye to the responsibility of protecting its seas. Bio-diversity The coastal and marine systems - coral reefs, sea grasses, estuaries, lagoons and mangroves are among the major ecosystems of the country. While the coral reefs rich in bio-diversity are important habitats for marine fauna and flora, they also work as barriers containing sea erosion. Sri Lanka has well developed reefs of true coral in the deep seas (eg: Gulf of Mannar and Kalpitiya) as well as coral growth on rocks and sandstone in the shallows (Hikkaduwa, Tangalle, Dondra, Batticaloa, Trincomalee). Around 183 stony corals, 36 species of butterfly fish, 5 species of spiny lobsters and over 900 species of reef and reef associated fish had been recorded in the Sri Lankan waters. Sea grass beds composed of rooted seed-bearing marine plants drifting in the shallow coastal waters perform many important functions. It is the main nesting and breeding grounds for numerous fish species and the habitat for dugong (endangered) and green sea turtle (protected). Feeding grounds for a variety of marine animals, they also act as a barrier binding the sediment and stabilising it against erosion. Estuaries Estuaries and lagoons also comprise an important part in Sri Lanka's bio-diversity. Its mix of marine and fresh water renews nutrients, organic material and oxygen providing a highly conducive environment for fish and other organisms. While Sri Lanka boasts of 45 estuaries and 40 coastal lagoons, it records 1800 species of pelagic fish or fish that live in the shallow waters as well. In addition is the variety of exotic species found in the Sri Lankan waters. Thirty eight species of marine mammals including the blue whale, dugong, porpoises, five turtle species and 13 serpants are recorded from Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, human intervention including over-exploitation of fish populations, coral mining, tourism, pollution from industries, sewage and solid waste discharges along the coast, pollution from vessals and unplanned development activities threaten the health and stability of the seas. Conservation Though legislation last in the form of Coast Conservation Act, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, Marine Pollution Prevention Act and Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, their faulty enactment keeps Sri Lankan waters open to more and more pollution and destruction. Added to this is the environmental 'hazards' such as the El-Nino coral bleaching event of the 1997-98 which damaged 46 percent of Indian Ocean coral reefs including that of Sri Lanka. Though many government institutions exist to protect Sri Lankan coast and seas, their activities do not seem to bring tangible and sustainable results, arresting marine pollution and degradation. Sri Lanka, as an island nation has a strong link to its seas, for its mere survival depends on the environment created by the surrounding seas and oceans. It is imperative that we pay more attention and take speedy action to protect our seas and oceans. Guide to national Parks : UDAWALAWE National Parks have become prime destinations for those who like to observe nature closely. Rich and unique fauna and flora and the natural wonders of these parks attract not only local tourists but also, foreigners.
Declared as the 5th National Park of Sri Lanka on June 30 1972, the Udawalawe National Park is a famous habitat for mammals and birds. The Park en compasses 30,821 hectors is a very famous natural habitat for viewing elephants at close range. Some ancient Buddhist ruins near Veheramankada are evidences to the fact that some parts of this land was under the care of Buddhists monks. This National Park straddling Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, can be reached in three to four hours from Colombo. The main entrance to the park is from the 7th milepost on the Udawalawe - Thanamalvila road. The easiest route from Colombo to the park is via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla and Colombage Ara junction along the Pelmadulla - Embilipitiya road. The Udawalawe National Park though located in the dry zone however enjoys the Southwest monsoon. the Western part of the park which lie in the intermediate zone receive a low rainfall and the day and night temperatures range from 29 C and 24 C. The main ecosystem of the park is the forest with scattered grasslands and thorny-shrubs. The tree species include Satin - Chloroxylon swietenia, Halmilla - Berrya cordifolia, Ebony - Diospyros ebenum, Ehala - Cassia fistula, Kolon - Adina cordifolia, Milla - Vitex pinnata, Kon - Schleichera oleosa and Kunumella - Diospyros ovalifolia. Around 20 to 50 per cent of the forest cover are scattered trees. the riverine forest trees include kumbuk - Terminalia arjuna and Mandorang - Hopea cordifolia. While scrub is dominated by damaniya - grewin tiliaefolia the Savana grasslands are dominated by mana- cymbopogon confertiflorus, illuk - Imperata cylindrica and pohon - Pennissetum olystachyon. The park is home for elephants (Elephas Maximus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Spotted dear (Axis axis ceylonensis) Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). This is also the habitat for Toque macaque (Macaca sinica, Common langur (Presbytis entellus) Jackal (Canis aureus) Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) Toddy cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditis) Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), black napped hare (Lepus nigricollis) and Small Indian civet (Viveericula indica). Udawalawe national park is also a popular haunt for warblers, low- country birds and variety of raptors. Water birds found on the reservoir are Indian cormorant, osprey and endemic bird species of Sri lanka spurfowl and junglefowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Brown - capped babbler. Permits to enter the Park are issued at the entrance at the 7th milepost on Udawalawe - Thanamalvila road. Every one entering the Park should be accompanied a tracker. Surrounded by the Udawalawe reservoir, the four wildlife circuit bungalows located at Thimbirigasmankada, Veheragolla, Sinuggala and Gonaviddagala give the visitor a great opportunity to view elephants at close range. Source: Guide to National Parks of Sri Lanka, Department of Wildlife Conservation. Saying good riddance to 'sili sili' bags The 'cheap, handy, convient and durable' sili sili bags, the main culprits of many environmental hazards, may become a thing of our 'ignorant' past, soon. Polythene - the all-purpose bags became very popular but subsequently turned into a 'monster', causing many environmental problems. It is also brought to an untimely end a somewhat lucrative cottage industry, where large number of village people earned a living making bags with local material. The then Environment Minister Rukman Senanayake, drafted a cabinet paper to ban polythene. Ministry officials event went on a study tour to Bangladesh, the country which banned polythene successfully. But nothing happened. The cabinet paper included plans to ban polythene below 20 micron in thickness. Regulations to control other varieties of polythene were also included a committee comprising officials from the Ministry, Central Environmental Authority and polythene manufacturers was also appointed to submit recommendations to reduce and ban certain categories of polythene. But nothing happened. All attempts by Minister Senanayake to 'say good bye' to 'sili sili' bags and lunch sheets failed courtesy unseen forces. However, the new Minister of Environment A. H. M. Fowzie has taken over the task of ridding the country of polythene and has directed the Ministry officials to look into the possibility of introducing a more environmental friendly wrapper - the paper bag. There are over 168 polythene manufacturing factories in the country and Minister Fowzie met the major manufacturers on May 19 to discuss effective ways of introducing paper bags. Eco personality : Jagath Gunawardena-A man with a dream by Shanika Sriyananda As a teenager he spent much of his time drawing pictures of birds and fish and doing small 'investigations' on flowers, birds, fish and insects in his own garden full of shady trees. He dreamt of a country with clean air and water.
After he joined the Young Zoologists Association (YZA) in 1970s however his dream was replaced by 'another' dream. "Most of the animals and plants that we were sketching and drawing were disappearing gradually", says Jagath Gunawardena, who has been fighting for environmental justice for more than two decades. I was a bird watcher first", says this humble eco lawyer cum conservationist. His love for fauna grew as he 'grew' and later he became a fish lover. Jagath entered the Sri Lanka Law College and passed out as a lawyer in 1990, he has over the years sharpened his knowledge of law in the country and this has helped him legally challenge the abusers of country's nature. A founder member of the Environmental Congress, an apex body linking all NGOs in the environmental sector, he became the Senior Environmental Officer of the Congress and challenged many issues that were detrimental to the eco-system. "There were so many issues we took up including Kandalama, tobacco cultivation, industrial pollution and demonising of forest cover", he lists. A media friendly lawyer and environmentalists, he is always available for comment to give details or clarify any complicated environmental issue to the press. Amidst his busy schedule he finds time to educate the public about birds, fish and other crucial issues, concerning the eco-system. "The Environment" is deteriorating fast", he says, adding that more lobbying efforts are needed to prevent the continuation of harmful activities against the environment. As an eco-activist, he is proud of having successfully put a halt to some of the activities, but there is lot more to be done", he says. He is not satisfied with the work of some of the NGOs in the environmental sector. "At the end of the day numbers won't count and what is more important is the work that they did. "I do not take pride in saying that we have so many NGOs involved in protecting the environment but what I can say is there are very few NGOs that are really doing well. Most of them are involved in projects. What they want to do is easy jobs and now this is a phenomena that have come up since 1990s", Gunawardena says. According to Gunawardena the country can deal with provisions of 109 different laws to protect the environment. " Some of them are directly dealing with environment and some we can make use to protect environment. They are the Criminal Procedure and Penal Code", he points out charging the international donor agencies for tracing the relaxation of these laws. "Since 1996, many laws have been relaxed, but we are now in need of more stringent laws. But the authorities who are helping the private sector and the funding donor agencies bring amendments to existing legislature that is detrimental to the laws of the country", Gunawardena says. Gunawardena believes that conservationists cannot protect the environment alone. "We need the support of the government. But it is not forthcoming as yet", he claims, saying that he will continue his struggle for the sake of making his childhood dream - a country with clean air and water - a reality. "But am available for any support to prevent harmful activities against nature", he says. Funds needed to map ground water reserves The Water Resources Board (WRB) under the Ministry of Irrigation is seeking more funds to identify the country's ground water potential by mapping the high potential areas in the country. A.B. Samaratunge, Assistant General Manager Hydro-geology told the Sunday Observer that in some parts of the country, the ground water potential was very high but not be tapped yet due to financial difficulties. The WRB, which constructs tube wells and extracts ground water in small scale, gets only Rs. 144 million annually, which is not sufficient for complicated research work on the mapping of ground water resources in the country. " We have the expertise and capability of identifying high potential sites of ground water but need more money", he stressed. "These special research studies to identify ground water potential zones are done using existing geological maps and aerial photographs, which are costly", he said. According to Samaratunge, the WRB identified Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Monaragala, Ampara, Vanni, Baticoloa, Mannar, Jaffna and Mullathiv as high ground water potential areas and the 80 percent of water requirement of these areas could be fulfilled by ground water if the WRB could demarcate these areas. "The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has already done a study in Puttalam and Ampara but small scale studies done by us in Jaffna, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala are yet to be completed. These areas need extensive studies on ground water as the ground water resource potential in these areas are high", he pointed out. S.S |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
First of a series on national parks, where we give travel details and
the significant features of the county's unique national wonders, we take
a look at the Udawalawe National Park.
