|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 8 June 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
June 5 was World Environment Day Conserving our biodiversity
Dr. Balakrishna Pasupati, Head of the World Conservation Union's Biodiversity Programme for Asia speaks on Sri Lanka's progress in biodiversity conservation. Interviewed by ASIFF HUSSEIN Q: What are the major problems encountered in the conservation of regional biodiversity, especially in connection with Sri Lanka? A: The problems of biodiversity not only in Sri Lanka but also in the rest of South Asia are largely related to what is known as the unsustainable use of biodiversity, that is practices such as clearing of forests, destruction of habitats and the over-exploitation of resources. The basic problem here is that it is not because people resort to these practices for commercial gain, but rather their lack of awareness on how to manage these resources effectively. Further, problems arise not only due to human pressures, but also natural pressures including climate change, acid rains, greenhouse gases etcetera. These too should receive serious attention. There is also the problem of invasive species which needs to be seriously addressed. Invasive species have today been identified as the second largest threat globally to biodiversity, the first being habitat destruction. The problem here is that when certain new species are introduced into a natural environment, they compete with the existing species thus affecting the ecosystem.
Natural selection also favours invasive species as they are more robust and could adapt to a new environment with relative ease. They compete with native flora and fauna and take over their territories. Lantana is a good example. Although introduced to the country as an ornamental plant, it today poses the threat of replacing the existing fauna if unchecked as its dispersal rate is rapid. Other invasive species that have received much attention in Sri Lanka of late are Salvinia and Parthinium. Besides, such invasives also cause enormous economic losses since the countries affected have to deal with their control as well. Q: How do you propose to address these concerns? A: I strongly feel that the main problem facing the conservation of biodiversity not only in Sri Lanka but also the rest of the world is the lack of awareness on how to manage available resources effectively. It is therefore imperative that people be first educated on nature conservation and sustainable development. Then the rest such as policies, regulations and laws could follow. Fortunately, Sri Lanka compares well with other countries in the region as the public perception of conservation is stronger here than in most other countries. Much more, however, could be done and the Sri Lankan government I would say has taken a very pro-active approach in creating an awareness on the need to conserve biodiversity among the masses. The IUCN for its part has an International Commission on Communication and Education, a voluntary global network dealing with communicating environmental issues which has been very active in Sri Lanka. We have published a large amount of brochures, posters etc in the vernacular and have also organised seminars and workshops to create an awareness on many of the issues we are faced with.
We have targeted school children for coral reef monitoring and conservation and are also in the process of developing a biodiversity curriculum for A level students.However, awareness alone is not sufficient. It should be backed by appropriate legislation and regulations. In this connection too we find that the government has performed very well. For instance, one finds a number of pragmatic ordinances such as the Flora Protection Ordinance. However at the same time there must also be infrastructure and capacity development to implement these policies. Thus although you have a law on invasive species, it would be difficult to implement it unless the customs officers concerned are trained on how to identify them. What is important here is that firstly, one must have a framework in place, secondly, one must look at the structures for implementation and thirdly, one must think of developing the practice to implement it. Then of course one could think of legislation. We are presently working very closely with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources on a range of issues to be dealt with by legislation and regulations. For instance, the CBD contains an International Protocol on Bio-safety laying down the precautions to be taken in handling biological organisms and the Sri Lankan government is actively pursuing what is known as the National Biosafety Framework which will provide policy guidance on issues related to biosafety and biotechnology. I must however stress here that biodiversity should not be thought of as a sectoral issue. It should not just be a part of environmental affairs, but should also figure in decisions relating to the economy and industrial development. We should have people looking at the issue more holistically. Every ministry should address issues of environment and biodiversity and there should be integration between the different ministries and agencies as well. Q: What is the role the NGO sector could play in this connection? A: NGOs have an important role to play in biodiversity issues. While governments formulate and implement policies, NGOs essentially translate these into local level actions. NGOs also have a role in communicating the experiences of local level action to policy makers. Thus they play a dual role by passing down information from the top to the local level as well as conveying to policy makers what is happening at local level. In this regard, they have a very pro-active role to play. NGOs have performed extremely well in Sri Lanka because of the kind of maturity of many of them in addressing issues of vital national importance. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
