Today is World Environment Day:

Caring for the environment vital - CEA Chairman

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the opening of the 1972 Stockholm Conference. This is the day the world celebrates achievements we have gained so far in protecting nature. How are we faring in Sri Lanka? In an interview with the Sunday Observer, Chairman of the Central Environment Authority Charitha Herath explains.

Excerpts of the Interview:

Q: With global warming, climate change is becoming a key obstacle for human survival as predicted, how are we as a country going to face the challenge? Where can we position Sri Lanka in the global context?

A: The hot topic of today’s world is mostly related to the environment be it climate change, global warming, bio hazards, desertification etc. Sri Lanka is no exception. We are strongly positioning ourselves in global discussions in mitigating the causes to these problems such as carbon emission. Considering this Sri Lankan contribution to carbon emission at global level is very low. Today’s theory is that polluters must pay for the pollution they cause. Since we are not a highly industrial country the burden on us is low, yet we get affected because of the pollution caused by many industrial countries. Thus developing countries are insisting that in order to protect nature, industrial countries should pay their part. But all this is still under discussion. In Sri Lanka, we are trying to mainly address problems such as solid waste management, illegal land filling, waste and many pollutions environment is facing at the moment.

Certain trade agreements in the world today would strictly require industries to adhere to certain environment-friendly options. Otherwise trade agreements get cancelled. So it is very important for the business community to adopt environment conserving mechanisms into their trades.

Q: This is the International Year of Forests and also the theme of World Environment Day on June 5 is Forests: Nature at Your Service. What are the plans with regard to forest conservation and protect in biodiversity ?

A: Deforestation is a huge problem across the globe. Since 2011 is declared as the year of forests. It is timely for Environment Day to have its theme also focusing on conservation of forests. It is a challenge to balance forest conservation and making space for development, since development activities are land based. On the other hand we need to give higher consideration to development activities with national interest. We need to maintain a balance between the two. Forest conservation is a high priority, since a high percentage of biodiversity exists in tropical rain forests. Sri Lanka has a number of tropical forests such as the Sinharaja, Kenneliya, Deniyagala, Nakiyadeniya which are recognised as biodiversity hot spots. So conserving forests is our topmost priority. Though we are a small island in the world we are rich in biodiversity in comparison to other countries.

Q: With major economic development programs emerging specially in the North and East, environment conservation needs to be prioritised more than in the past. Do you think we have sufficient safety measures to protect nature against this heavy demand?

A: The country is now in a peaceful situation and now is the time to catch up with the missed opportunities. So there is a heavy demand for development activities. In order to face this new situation we have moved into a new strategy called the Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment. This is an interconnection between several ministries including the Economic Development Ministry, Environment Ministry, Disaster Management, Defence, Resettlement and Agriculture ministries in collaboration with the Central Environment Authority. So far environmental assessments are done in all five districts of the Northern Province, Gampaha district and Hambanthota district. Instead of heading on a development program overlooking the environment impact we are trying to meet the development demand while conserving the precious environment. This is in implementation for other districts of the country as well. As a gate keeper, we have a bigger role in the State’s development and tourism promotion drive to ensure minimum harm to the environment during the development process.

Q: The CEA has declared Bolgoda Lake, Thalangama Lake and the Muthurajawela marshy lands as protected areas to prevent unlawful land filling and development activities taking place. These areas are very vital to drain in excess rain water and mitigate flash flooding in Colombo and the suburbs. How will you control this situation? What steps have you taken?

A: The existing system itself is tight enough to protect the environment. Required parties need to take permission from the CEA and the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation. The criteria is lengthy and extensive searches about what the possible negative impacts on the environment have been done. Future decisions will be based on requirements. We also should realise that we need to give space for development work and constructions. As long as the eco-systems of the environments are safe while development is being carried out we will give permission. If any low or wetland eco-system are strictly reserved we will not allow any construction works on those. Unlike in the past, wetland protection will be a development project in the future. There will be incentives in different forms for individuals who own wetlands and agree to protect and preserve them for the sake of human well-being.

Q: Wouldn’t it be practical to change people’s altitudes towards environment conservation trying to promote self-responsibility towards protecting it?

A: We need not confine one particular day of the year for environment conservation. People need to be more aware of how to act environment-friendly during their daily activities. A family needs to adopt and train themselves with certain strategies that would not harm the environment. Amidst the over-consumption of the world, we, in the Sri Lankan culture are trained to use only what is necessary. Society seems to be losing this value, and it is high-time we reinstate it in our families. This concept directly and indirectly supports environment protection.

Q: What is happening with the post consumer plastic and polythene recycling project? What is the response from the people?

A: The project continues. We are continuing with awareness programs for the public to minimise polythene usage and also to help recycle them. We see a fairly good response from the people according to the monitoring systems at our collection points. Yet people need to take responsibility more on to their hands. They need to be more concerned about the greater damage done by these plastic and polythene items to the environment. If people can dispose these more organised either at homes, office or in public places, the plastic and polythene can be totally used for recycling.

We greatly need people’s support to stop polythene polluting the environment. Under this project we are working with local authorities to implement solid waste recycling activities. We do composting and bio gas plants. A post consumer plastic and polythene recycling project is another program currently implemented by the CEA.

Today marks the mostly celebrated day of the world, namely, World Environment Day. This is one of the marked days in the calendar which gets the highest concern in each and every country irrespective of political and social differences. Today in the Year of Forests (2011), Environment day under the theme, Forests - Nature at your service, brings world attention to protect forests - the green lungs of the earth. Sri Lanka showing no exception is ready to celebrate this giving the highest minority day. The main event will be held at the Pinnawala National School headed by Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Deputy Minister Abdul Cader. The event is organised by the Central Environment Authority and many other Government and Non Government Organisations.

The Central Environment Authority (CEA) through Environment Impact Assessments, Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessments, environmental protection licences etc are capable of controlling degradation of the environment. A major company as well as a village level grinding mill has to conform to certain guidelines and they need to get an environmental protection licence. The CEA is playing a major part to ensure the environment side is well looked after, while doing away with unnecessary delays.