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| Sunday, 11 July 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Environment and Population
by Carol Aloysius What do these figures signify in terms of our environment? Simply that the human population of this country, by sheer numbers , appears to have taken over most of the limited land and natural resources of this small island of 65,608 square miles , destroying in the process some of the greatest treasures: it's once rich bird life and animal life, its forest cover which has dwindled from 70 per cent in 1900 to 24 per cent in 1990 and to a new low of 20 per cent today, and its unique eco system. Much of this deforestation has taken place as a result of man's dependence on the forest and on forest land for his basic needs. While the shifting cultivator (chena cultivator) who resorts to slash and burn techniques of agriculture is partly to blame and his habit of clearing the forest in order to obtain land for his cultivation, the problem has been compounded by the sharp rise of the population dependent on forest resources for their living. This dependence may not have been a problem, the populations was small and the forest were sustainable. But today, because of increased population, forests are being cleared at a faster pace than they can regenerate , and forest products collected in excessive quantities,The result is an alarming decline in natural forest canopy to its present low. Over exploitation of forest resources has been so severe that environmentalists have warned that the existing forest cover could virtually disappear in the coming decades unless stringent steps are taken to halt this wanton rape of the forests by man. Illegal logging in both the wet zone and the dry zone continues unabated despite heavy fines and jail sentences on the offenders. Slash and burn agriculture continues to flourish in remote hamlets. It is this dependence on the forest and its products that has made forest conservation in Sri Lanka more than just an environment problem, and to view it in the context of a larger issue as a socio economic problem. Hence environmentalists and conservationists are now urging authorities in charge of our natural resources and in particular the forest Department, to look beyond the forest to surrounding lands and address the socio-economic problems of the people living in those areas ` at risk'. Forests are not the only natural resource that have been endangered because of the massive rise in population. The rich bio-diversity of the island is at peril. Ranked eleventh in the world in terms of rich bio diversity Sri Lanka is said to have a greater bio- diversity per unit area than any country in Asia. Our unique eco systems, wetlands,the rich variety of bird life ( many of which are endemic species), plant life, our ocean beds, marine life have all been endangered as a result of man's desperate search for arable land and food and his environmentally unfriendly lifestyle habits . Conservationists have also pointed out the need to protect the rich marine bio diversity in the seas around Sri Lanka which have received scant attention upto now. These include coral reefs and sea grass beds, of which we have little accurate information. Our coral beds have been depleted and damaged and even endangered sea creatures. Like the dolphin and turtle have not escaped man's greed. So what does our increasing population have to do with this degradation of our natural resources? "Everything", says Dr A.T. P.L. Abeykoon, Director, Population Division. " Population and Environment are closely linked. With every increase in population the strain on our limited resources becomes greater and more unbearable. Take for example the first half of the last century when our population was a fraction of what it is today. In that period, traditional practices in agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining were carried out to a degree that was well within the absorptive capacities of different eco-systems. With the rapid expansion of population since 1945, these practices began imposing increasing environmental stress resulting in a continuing environmental degradation." Growth of our urban population is another significant contributory factor to this overall degradation. According to Dr Abeykoon, during the first half of the last century, the growth was very slow, but during the second half there has been an acceleration in the growth of urban population from 15 per cent in 1953 to 27 per cent in 2000. This rapid urbanisation has had a tremendous impact on the environment of our cities for it has brought with it its attendant evils of overcrowding, insanitation, spread of diseases and overall environmental pollution. The country's gradual shift towards the status of a Newly Industrialised Country (NIC), has spawned hundreds upon hundreds of factories and industrial units, each of which has contributed in no small way to environmental pollution. The effluents and discharges from these factories in places like Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Hendela, Wattala. Grandpass on the outskirts of Colombo and in the city of Colombo itself is gradually turning this once green city into an industrialised wasteland. Even the waterways like the Bellanwila-Atthidiya marshes, a wetland eco system which has been declared a sanctuary, are not spared. Toxic effluents from nearby factories are released into waterways and drains without any treatment thus polluting surface and ground water supplies of these areas making them inhabitable for both man and beast. The irony is that man who created these surroundings himself is the most vulnerable victim of its toxic environment. Factory owners and industrialists for example need not pollute their surroundings with untreated effluents, a violation of the law incidentally, because of the free availability of waste control and waste reduction techniques as well as re-cycling plants. Such techniques are neither new nor recent since they have been in commercial use elsewhere in the world. However, through sheer indifference to the consequences of their actions, they continue to dump their unwanted refuse into the environment. Thankfully this practice is slowly coming to a halt due to the stringent laws now being put into practice. Sri Lanka is not alone in the challenges she faces as a result of over population. But the time has come when we need to make a concerted effort to conserve our biological resources in situations of conflicting socio-economic and ecological needs. We need to use our vast treasure trove of natural resources wisely and maintain healthy environmental lifestyles. What is important to realise is, says a conservationist, that even with a growing population Sri Lanka's natural resources are adequate to sustain its population while still leaving sufficiently large areas of natural eco systems for conserving fauna and flora in their natural habitats, but only if they are wisely used. A far-sighted planning policy, an indepth study of all natural resources that are currently at risk because of our growing population's needs, and more awareness raising on sustainable environmental practices will go a long way to make this a future reality. ********************* Guide to National Parks Flood Plains Not very popular as a tourist destination, the Flood Plains National Park (FPNP) is home to a variety of resident and migratory waterfowl species. The unique 'villus' are another attractive feature of this land. Giving a magnificent view, the Mahaweli Ganga flows from south to north through the centre of the Park. Covering an extent of 17,350 hectares in the Mahaweli protected area, the Flood Plains has the Wasgamuwa National Park to its south and the Somawathi Chaitiya National Park to its north. Declared a national park in 1984, FPNP is home to an extensive range of water tolerant grasses and aquatic plants, whose growth is enhanced by the rich soil due to flooding. The vegetation of the villus show definite patterns of zonation with creeping grasses. Floating plants like kekatiya can be seen in deep water and manel and submerged floating plants in the deepest water. Common floating forms found in all zones are water lettuce, diya nidikumba, and ikiliya. Clumps of rattan (cane) are also common in the area and about 25 rare herbal plants are also found at three different sites in the swamp forest. There is a monsoon forest on the higher ground and gallery forest along river banks. The park also houses the ruins of an ancient cave monastery, dating back to between 2nd and 7th BC. With its uniquely rich bio-diversity, the park is another national asset. The rich vegetation in the villus which attract a large number of grazing animals and birds, support more annual biomass than any of the habitats within the Mahaweli areas. An abundant supply of water and grasslands have made this park a popular habitat for elephants. This is also the elephant corridor between Somawathiya Chaitiya and Wasgamuwa National Park. The FPNP is home to fishing cat, jungle cat, rusty spotted cat, jackal, wild boar, indian muntjac, sambar, spotted deer and water buffalo. Natricine water snakes, mugger crocodile and estuarine crocodile can be seen in large numbers in the marshes. The villus are the habitat for fish species like climbing perch, snake heads, fresh water shark, branded etroplus, butter catfish and tilapia. This park is an ideal place for bird watching as it is a paradise for migrant birds. According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation 75 per cent of migrant birds come to this park during the winter season. Marsh sand piper, wood sand piper, Asiatic golden plover, garganey, osprey and black tailed godwit are the common migrant visitors during the winter season. The unique biodiversity of the FPNP with its rich vegetation has also seen birds like eastern large egret, little egret, cattle egret, painted stork pond heron, eastern grey heron, pheasant tailed jacana, purple coot, Indian darter, little cormorant, Iindian shag, great cormorant, black-winged stilt and red wattled lapwing, making the park there home. The park is located in the Polonnaruwa district in the North Central Province, and has Manampitiya town just outside its eastern boundary. The easiest route to the FPNP which is 233 km away from Colombo is from Colombo via Kurunegala, Dambulla, Habarana and Polonnaruwa. Compiled by Shanika Sriyananda, Source: Department of Wildlife Conservation ********************* Conserving Kanneliya by Hana Ibrahim
Eeeek Leeches!!! What does one do about the leeches, you wonder somewhat apprehensively as you gingerly step over the copious deposits of dead leaves and follow an all knowing Upul and Ranjith (Forest Department Officials) on a literally non existent track. We are on our way to the Narangas Ella in the Kanneliya forest reserve 35 miles off Galle. "Just ignore the leeches. All they want is some of your blood. Consider this a blood donation of sorts," they wisecrack as we shuffle along in single file, through dense undergrowth that is typical of rainforests the world over. Sunlight forces its way in weirdly patchy configurations and intermittent rains up the humidity quotient a few degrees higher. An XXL centipede, unlike any you've seen before ambles cross, claiming territorial rights over the path as does a common bronze back (snake). A black-headed yellow Bulbul flits across the lush greenery. Predatory pitcher plants, the source of many legends appear quite innocuous amidst Weniwel, Wal kurundu, Kalu bambara wel, Keena and other species that are both endemic and alien. A stream originating from one of the many Ellas gurgles as it flows through the undergrowth..... For a novice unused to the realities of the rainforest, the sights and sounds may appear a novelty. But than again, Kanneliya is not your usual rainforest. And you are not there to simply make tracks to one of its numerous waterfalls. You are, if one wishes to be grandiose, on a greater mission to glean some first hand knowledge about a United Nations Development Programme(UNDP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded pilot project to protect the biodiversity in rain forest in the South West of Sri Lanka, through community based organisations (CBOs). The five-year project, is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka to put the onus of conserving the forest on communities adjacent to the forest. It was implemented as a pilot in the Kanneliya forest complex (which also includes Dediygala and Nakiyadeniya) and Pitadeniya in Sinharaja, two of the largest remaining isolated forest blocks identified as being of globally significance primarily because of the high degree of endemism and rarity of the plant species. And if all goes well, it will be replicated in 31 other Conservation Forests in the South West of the Country. The trek through Kanneliya is to observer how the project has helped wean the community away from their dependence on the forest and get them involved in conservation activities making them the champion of sorts of the 5305.9 ha forest reserve that almost got logged out of existence during the 70s when the State Plywood Corporation set up base and embarked on an orgy of indiscriminate felling. According to Premadasa Seneviratne, a former Plywood Corporation employee, who now earns a living making handicraft items with rattan, 50 to 60 trees were felled each day with the aid of monster machines that were not choosy as to what endemic treasure they chopped down. Saner counsel however prevailed, when felling was suspended in 1988. And today, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of slapdash logging, Kanneliya has managed to regain its status as a relatively young (regeneration) forest reserve with a high biodiversity quotient that rivals Sinharaja. The forest is home to 310 flora species, including trees, shrubs and herbs of which 52 per cent has been identified as being endemic, 15 as being globally threatened and 26 as being nationally threatened. It is also home to some rare species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, and of course large contingents of leeches. Though much of Kanneliya's revival is owed to the suspension of felling operations and subsequent banning of all commercial logging by the government in 1990, credit should also go to the UNDP/GEF conservation project. For, many of the positive changes in the forest reserve have come about as a consequence of the conservation project. The four main components of the project are - integrated buffer zone community development focusing on biodiversity conservation and livelihood issues; strengthened institutional mechanisms to involve the community in decision-making; use of non-timber forest products on a sustainable basis and improve forest protection form encroachment and illicit logging. Implemented by the UNDP, the project was executed by the Forest Department of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, with the Buildings Department, the Road Development Authority, the Southern Provincial Council and the Survey Department as key participants in collaboration with World Conservation Union - Sri Lanka (IUCN -SL) and several other NGOs. To be continued ********************* Eco Bytes Boosting conservation A project aimed at boosting conservation and use of the wild living-relatives of some of the world's key crops was launched recently in Colombo by the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI). The project called 'In Situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives Through Enhanced Management and Field Applications' brings together the resources of biologically rich countries including Armenia, Bolivia, Madagascar, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka to improve key features of traditional crops. Some of the features looked at are - nutritional value, economic value and ability to naturally fight diseases. Crop Wild Relatives make a huge contribution to plant breeding. It is estimated that between 1976 and 1980, Wild Relatives contributed approximately US $ 340 million per year in yield and disease resistance to the farm economy of the United States alone. Researchers believe that the new project will play its part in fighting hunger and improving the livelihoods of farmers across the globe. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
In 1900 Sri Lanka's population stood at 3.5 million people. By 1956 it
had risen to a little over eight million with a density of 103 persons for
every square mile and the growth rate more than double at 2.8 million. In
1992 the population had soared to over 17 million despite a fall in growth
rate to 1.0. Today, it has reached an all time high of 19.9 and is
expected to arise to over 23 million by 2035.
