Over Rs. 5.5b to dispose garbage - Environment Minister

By Uditha Kumarasingha

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa says every citizen has the right and a duty to protect his own environment and natural resources. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said Sri Lanka is the lowest carbon emitting country as nearly 60 percent of our country is almost green.

The Minister said the Government has allocated nearly Rs. 5.6 billion to implement the Pilisarugarbage disposal project for the next three years. The Ministry through this project intends to provide a solution to the garbage disposal problem of all local government bodies.

Q: What are the new initiatives you are taking to protect the environment?

A: We have taken several initiatives to protect the environment. The biggest problem we are facing today is the depletion of natural resources especially sand and other things. We are taking steps to preserve the natural resources by using them in a wiser manner. We have also taken steps to educate the people on the importance of protecting those natural resources for their future well-being.

We have also focused our attention on solid waste management. Though it is a subject vested with the Local Government Ministry, we have been given the authority to find ways and means of providing solutions to it.

Now we are finding out, not only the composting options but also scientific land filling options. In addition, incineration and other methods are being discussed. We are now developing a strategy with the help of donor agencies to find a solution to the urban waste management system in Colombo and the suburbs.

The Ministry is promoting environment education. Earlier it had been confined only to schools. I thought we have to go beyond that. We must educate elders, ordinary citizens and children on how to protect our environment. Those are the few things I have taken serious note of. Some technical issues are also there.

Q: Climate change has become a big issue. What are the steps taken to meet this threat?

A: Climate change and bio-diversity have become global issues. I have set up special secretariat called Climate Change and Bio-diversity Secretariat. We have invited a number of learned academics in the country to join us.

We have held its first meeting. Though there is no proper agreement for this climate change issue in most of the countries, we can see “E- green initiatives” in the trade area. In certain sectors, exports cannot be made until the green certification is done in that particular manufacturing country. We can see that is going to be the next step and we will have to get ready for it. We have appointed a committee in this regard.

Q: Garbage disposal has become a major problem. What are the steps being taken by the Ministry along with the local bodies to address this problem?

A: The Government has allocated around Rs.5.6 billion for the garbage disposal project called “Pilisaru”. The project was initiated three years ago. I have extended this project by another three years. We are going to provide a solution to the garbage disposal problem of each and every Pradeshiya Sabha and Local Government institution. We have already provided solutions to a number of Pradeshiya Sabhas. At present some of them have implemented compost projects in a very successful manner. As I mentioned earlier, solid waste management is going to be a major area that we will have to tackle.

Q: The recycling programs are not being done properly. How are you going to revive this program?

A: At present we have one or two recycling plants. But still we don’t have a proper mechanism to collect those things. That is also one area that we will have to look into. In certain areas this is functioning very well like the Balangoda and Avissawella Pradeshiya Sabha areas. We are trying our level best to expedite this program into other areas as well. According to the law, local government bodies have the power to collect garbage. So we will have to strengthen them. We are facilitating them and provide solutions to their problems. Our main initiative is to help them. That is what we are doing now.

Q: Electronic waste (mobile phones, computers and others) is becoming a big problem. Any plans for recycling and or other steps to curb this problem?

A: The electronic waste issue has been here for a number of years. If the use of electronic equipment will continue on a large scale and people just throw them away it will create a big problem in the future. Sometimes, it will be deposited as heavy metals and will ultimately contaminate the water as well. So we have taken this issue very seriously. It is not a serious issue now.

But it will be a serious issue in future. We have had discussions with all electronic manufacturing and distributing companies and we want to have a system ready for them for E-waste management.

We have already established a common logo and we are going to set-up collecting centres in association with them. We also want to get the support of re-exporting companies and we have already spoken to them. A proper E-waste management system will be adopted very soon.

Q: The recent duty reductions have put more vehicles on the roads. What are the steps being taken to reduce air pollution caused by vehicles and other sources?

A: I think its other way around. If you have quality vehicles, emissions will be lower. If we have older vehicles that means they are the belching vehicles. They will definitely cause more air pollution. Importing new vehicles is not a bad thing. It is a good move.

Q: There is a complaint that there are not enough garbage bins in Colombo for the public at public places. What can be done about this?

A: The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has designed a plan for this purpose. The CEA is issuing garbage bins at Rs.1200 each. The CEA charges Rs. 600 from Local Government Bodies for one bin and they can pass it to any consumer. If any Local Government institution or the people have such needs, they can contact the CEA.

Q: What are the steps being taken to eliminate dengue mosquito breeding grounds?

A: That is a national program spearheaded by the President, Ministers and Chief Ministers of the Provincial Councils. It is going on very well. We have been able to go to each and every household to educate and prevent the spread of dengue breeding grounds. We have also the necessary legislation in place. If somebody violates them, they can be prosecuted in a court of law.

I think every citizen has a right and a duty to see that he protects his own environment. So it won’t get polluted. Then there won’t be any area where dengue mosquitoes can breed. Once that is done, this national campaign will be very successful. Not only the Government officials, each and everyone has a duty of their own to do that. Everyone is helping us now. We have done a tremendous amount of work within the past few months led by the Health Ministry. We have also imported BTI bacteria from Cuba. We are also producing our own BTI bacteria which has also been distributed. I think, the dengue prevention campaign is going on very well. It will be an example to other countries as well.

Q: Are there any legal measures in place to prevent the manufacture and import of environmentally harmful products?

A: Of course. Our legislation is quite powerful on that. We have some restricted and hazardous items. We don’t import them. I think legally we are very well armed. But that does not mean we are perfect. We can improve. At present, we are building the capability and capacity on this.

Q: Are there any steps taken along with the Education Department to educate school children on environment?

A: We have discussed this with the Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene. We wanted to start it by organising a tree planting campaign next year with the participation of schools. In some schools Environmental Societies are being formed. Even our school system itself is very much environmental friendly.

We want to make sure that every school child of this country will be educated on environmental issues and global trends that are linked to it. We can do it within a very short period. Even today we are doing it. But we want to do it in a much faster manner.

Q: Environment Ministry has also the responsibility to preserve the world heritage sites in Sri Lanka. What are your plans?

A: Yes. We have the necessary legislation in place. Under the Central Environmental Authority law, we can gazette certain areas. Even for a small construction, they will have to come to us and get our certificate.

They will have to abide by certain norms. We have about 24 percent of forest cover. If you take small level jungle areas, it will go upto 30 percent. In addition, the lands under the purview of Government Agents have also been vested in us, which around seven percent. This does not include private lands or tea and rubber plantations.

If we consider that also, nearly 60 percent of our country is almost green. In that context, we are the lowest carbon emitting country in the world. We are much ahead of other countries.

Q: How can the Environment Ministry intervene to promote eco-friendly tourism in Sri Lanka?

A: Actually we are doing it. We have the necessary land area. Though this subject is vested to the Tourism Ministry, whenever there is a request from them, we are ready to help them. Basically, we are there to facilitate other ministries. We are not alone.

It’s a sort of cluster that we want to create. Our ultimate goal is to protect the environment for the betterment of the public.