Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet: Cleaning up Marine Debris from Natural Disasters
IN THE USUAL HAVOC CREATED BY SCATTERED DEBRIS AFTER FLOODS, ONE MIGHT EVEN BE PLEASED IF ALL OF IT GETS WASHED OFF TO THE OCEAN, A COURSE OF ACTION OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED TO REMOVE GARBAGE AND WASTE FROM COASTAL AREAS
The World Oceans Day is marked today, under the theme ‘Healthy oceans, healthy planet’; at a time Sri Lanka is striving to recover from a major natural disaster. While natural disasters cause sudden surges of ocean debris, taking tonnes of garbage from land into the ocean, it is much worse during floods, especially when populated areas adjoining the coastal belt are affected – as it did during the recent floods in Sri Lanka’s Western Province.
As the country is still struggling to overcome from the trauma in the wake of the disaster, the serious impact this has on oceans is likely to be neglected, as more immediate problems on land naturally take priority. In the usual havoc created by scattered debris after floods, one might even be pleased if all of it gets washed off to the ocean, a course of action often taken for granted to remove garbage and waste from coastal areas. However, such thinking may be counterproductive, causing long-term damages to the marine environment, leading to a situation of ‘sick oceans, sick planet’, the opposite of today’s theme.
Marine pollution due to disasters that occur in the ocean such as ship accidents, oil spills, chemical spills, etc., have been well recognized and many countries are prepared to face these at least to a certain level. Similarly, there is also awareness on marine debris from ships and various land sources. However, comparatively, the knowledge of marine pollution caused due to natural disasters on land areas is somewhat limited. Studies show that natural disasters that occur on land can lead to a heavy collection of ocean debris.
Disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and tsunamis are usually associated with high winds, heavy rains, storm surges and flooding that can pull large amounts of land debris into surrounding seas. Such debris include small to large structures, household items and garbage washed off from flooded areas. Observations on such marine debris have been made after many reported cases such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and cyclone Sandy. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the USA has carried out such studies on marine pollution associated with disasters.
The 2011 tsunami in Japan and Fukushima disaster captured world attention due to the possible involvement of radiation contaminated marine debris. According to the estimates of the Government of Japan, the disaster brought over five million tons of debris into the sea. Sudden influx of debris flows caused by disasters could lead to various unfavourable outcomes such as public safety and health issues, problems for navigation due to obstruction of navigation channels and threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
Studies have shown that significant amount of debris breakup into parts and get sunk in the sea, mostly in near shore areas. However, there is floating debris that could take different paths. Part of it is washed ashore sooner or later. Observations indicate some floating debris may get carried over by waves, scattering over the ocean, sometimes ending up in distant places. Depending on the nature of float, the speed and distance travelled may vary. For instance, some debris generated in Japan’s tsunami disaster has been reported in West coast of the USA. Sometimes debris could get caught up in a circular ride of currents (e.g., North Pacific Subtropical Gyre), ending up in ‘garbage patches’ where debris has accumulated. Some materials in the disaster debris could stay in the environment without being degraded for long periods of time (e.g., some types of plastics).
Disaster debris mitigation
Understanding about post-disaster surge of marine debris appears to be limited in Sri Lanka. The only occasion that it could have captured the public attention was the 2004 tsunami. However, in the midst of a large death toll, tremendous property damage and large-scale displacements, it escaped the public discussion that it deserved. The recent floods in the Western Province, especially in the Kelani River closer to its sea entrance is likely to have resulted in some influx of flood debris to the sea.
This has so far not received sufficient public attention. Mitigating disaster debris is a challenge for public agencies. It needs monitoring of debris movement and accumulation of them. If accumulated debris is causing obstructions to navigation channels or usual habitats of marine animals, actions should be taken to for their removal.
Establishing procedures for reporting of debris washed ashore is necessary and this should be followed up with a beach cleanup. Some countries have resorted to calling for voluntary public support for reporting and cleaning up. Whenever possible, recycling of some debris may be the best course of action (e.g., metal cans, plastics). To achieve success from such measures, there should be good awareness and education among the public.
Sudden influx of marine debris from disasters is a problem that involves inland areas, coastal zone and the marine environment. Hence, the problem requires an integrated approach that combines all three ‘zones’ (land, coastal zone and sea) of environment. Sri Lanka has introduced the Marine Pollution Prevention Act (MPPA) in 1981 along with the Coast Conservation Act (CCA) passed in the same year, just one year after passing the National Environment Act (NEA).
These three acts are responsible in overcoming pollution problems in the ocean, coastal zone and inland areas, respectively. Along with these acts, three national agencies, namely, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Coast Conservation Department (CCD) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) also were formed. This system was further strengthened with the introduction of Disaster Management Act (DMA) in 2005, establishing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) as the implementation agency. Hence, the necessary legal framework and institutional arrangements are already in place to find an integrated solution. What is needed is a coordinated effort by the relevant agencies and effective enforcement.
Source : 08/06/2016 IPS (Sri Lanka)– http://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2016/06/08/healthy-oceans-healthy-planet-cleaning-up-marine-debris-from-natural-disasters/
Sri Lanka reiterates its commitment to combat illegal trafficking of wildlife
June 07, New York: Sri Lanka stands ready to combat illegal trafficking of wildlife which has become one of the largest transnational organized criminal activities alongside drugs, arms and human trafficking, a top diplomat to the United Nations said Monday.
Delivering a statement at a special high-level event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York Monday, Ambassador and Chargé d᾽ Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Sabarullah Khan said that while the world marked another World Environment Day on 5th June, wildlife and forests, flora and fauna are at this moment being ravaged due to transnational organized crime, impacting vulnerable communities and the fragile environment.
In his statement, Ambassador Khan noted that Wildlife and forest crime is today one of the largest transnational organized criminal activities alongside drugs, arms and human trafficking. “This is why our response must be a global effort,” he said.Sri Lanka Monday participated at a special event titled “Wildlife Crime and New York Launch of the World Wildlife Crime Report organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) together with the Permanent Missions of Germany and Gabon.
“Every country is either a source, or transit, or destination for these illegal products,” the Ambassador noted.
“My country stands ready to combat with utmost vigor the illegal trafficking of these products. In January this year (2016) Sri Lanka crushed and burnt its stockpile of confiscated elephant ivory comprising 359 elephant tusks. This ivory came from a single shipment weighing 1.5 tons seized in the Port of Colombo in May 2012,” Mr. Khan said.
He said that In a symbolic gesture that deeply affected our entire nation, Sri Lanka accompanied the crushing of this ivory stockpile, with an observance of two minutes silence, and a religious ceremony, led by Buddhist priests, and attended by all other religious dignitaries, to formally apologize on behalf of human society, to the elephants, who were so cruelly victimized by these heinous crimes. As one of the panelists noted it is the moral imperative that matters most he said.
The Ambassador said Sri Lanka has strict domestic laws for the protection of flora and fauna, within the broad framework of the convention of international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna.
He noted that Sri Lanka has a high level of biodiversity and a remarkable high proportion of endemic species, among its flora and fauna. In order to preserve their habitats, all natural forests in Sri Lanka have been set apart for the conservation of soil, water, and biodiversity.
Ambassador Khan added that Sri Lanka’s national policy on wild life conservation has been updated to respond to the evolving needs of Sri Lankan society.
The governments, scientists, civil society, academia, of the world have a shared responsibility to work together to end this crime, he said.
The launch of World Wildlife Crime Report will provide a key opportunity to take stock of international efforts to address wildlife crime, as countries work towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN last fall, the UNODC says.
The Goal 15 of SDGs calls upon all governments to “Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products,” and to “Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities.”
(Source : 07/06/2016 Colombo Page http://www.colombopage.com/archive_16B/Jun07_1465280658CH.php)
World Environment Day 2016: 5 of Your Favourite Foods Predicted to Go Extinct
World Environment Day (WED) is one of the greatest annual events celebrated across the globe on 5th June. The objective of the event is to raise awareness about the leading issue of the sustainability of our environment. It was initiated in 1973 by the United Nations General Assembly and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to address colossal issues like global warming, deforestation and food shortages among many others.
On World Environment Day, let’s awaken our conscience. With every passing year, the environment is getting degraded and rumours are afloat that if this continues, we might not be able to devour our favourite foods in the foreseeable future. Scientists have estimated that over two-thirds of flora and fauna that once inhabited the Earth are now extinct. Studies are now suggesting that certain human-induced environmental changes caused their eradication.
This year’s theme for World Environment Day is ‘Join the race to make the world a better place’. Here are five foods that our future generations could be deprived of, because of changes in the climate and our environment.
1. Honey, where art thou?
Thinking of adding a spoonful of honey to your morning smoothie? Or how about your favourite honey chilli potatoes? Stock up on this liquid gold as a United Nations scientific report warns that 2 out of 5 honeybee populations are on the path to extinction. Simon Potts, Director of the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research in England remarked, “We are in a period of decline and there are going to be increasing consequences.”
Bees are responsible for pollinating more than 250,000 species of plants, including more than 90 food crops. So, the decline in the population of bees could also affect the food supply. The possible cause of this is the high use of insecticides and pesticides in farming which are lethal for the bees and other pollinators. The use of herbicides also hinders the work of pollinators since it eliminates the wildflowers and weeds which are usually helpful in the process. Robert Watson, a British Ecological Scientist said
that England has now started paying it’s farmers to plant wildflowers for bees in hedge rows.
A study published in the journal ‘Science’ shows that due to changing temperature and weather conditions, bees have failed to migrate and many populations have died. While some animals may have adjusted, the research on bees suggests that they don’t possess the ability to adjust easily to new environments.
2. Goodbye chocolate!
Andrew Jarvis, leader of the decision and policy analysis Program at International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) says that although chocolate is not essential for our survival, it can help in raising awareness about the increasing rate of climatic changes by “hitting people’s soft spots.”
The core issue here, is that due to rising temperatures and constant change in weather patterns, it is difficult to produce cocoa. The rising temperature leads to ‘evapotranspiration’ in the cocoa trees which makes them lose more water into the air and thereby lowering its yielding capacity. Scientists have predicted that chocolate production will significantly diminished by 2030. It has also been predicted that in the next 40 years, the temperature in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, where 70% of cocoa is grown, is set to rise by 2°C. This will make the climate too hot and dry for growing cocoa trees.
3. Sorry, no coffee or wine with that
According to a research conducted by UK’s Royal Botanical Gardens, Arabica and Robusta, which are the main sources of coffee would suffer greatly because of environment changes. It also revealed that the number of locations where Arabica coffee grows would decrease by 85% by 2080. High temperature and extreme conditions are leading to coffee rust and fungus that are invading many plantations. Another problem is depleting water supplies. Severe drought in Brazil, flooding in Honduras and Vietnam running out of water shows that the problems have already started surfacing.
Climate is the most critical aspect for the ripening of fruit to its best quality in the production of wine. It has been seen, that the world’s premium wine regions are under threat due to hotter and unpredictable weather like Bordeaux and Rhone regions in France, Tuscany in Italy and Napa Valley in California.
4. The plunging future of seafood
Due to global warming, the temperature of the sea has started to rise, causing a sharp decline of a number of water-species. If the planktons, which are kind of algae and shrimps found in oceans and seas, were to go extinct, it would definitely have an impact on the population of fish and other seafood. UK’s Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Mark Walport declared that “Thanks to man-made CO2, the acidity of oceans has increased by 25% since the dawn of the industrial revolution”. This threatens a whole wide range of ocean species.
5. King Corn – No More?
Bad news for corn lovers. According to a study in the journal of Science titled ‘Climate change curbs crops’, it has been reported that the global corn production has been nearly 4% lower than it would have been if the climatic changes were slowed down. This is happening due to global warming. Just 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, decreases the rate of corn production by as much as 7%. Corn is also a major feeding source of livestock, so a lower production of corn would mean expensive meat.
Deforestation and Palm Oil
While our favourite foods may be disappearing, the production of those that are not really needed is on a rise. One such product is the Palm Oil, which could be a reason for the loss of our favourite foods.
Palm oil is a type of edible vegetable oil that is derived from the palm fruit. It can grow and flourish wherever heat and rainfall are abundant. Where does the problem lie? Tropical forests are being cleared to make space for palm oil plantations. Thus, carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere along with other greenhouse gases, elevating global warming. Top fast food brands in the world use palm oil to fry and bake their foods. Hence, they play a key factor in aggravating the situation by being a major buyer of palm oil.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, “an area equivalent to the size of 300 football fields of rainforest is cleared each hour to make way for palm oil production. This large-scale deforestation is pushing many species to extinction.” A new industry standard of deforestation-free palm oil has emerged. Sustainable palm oil is an approach to oil palm plantation which aims to produce palm oil without endorsing deforestation. Palm oil is present in a wide range of products which includes: baked goods, confectionery, washing detergents, shampoo and cosmetics.
We know that we should conserve our resources (reduce, reuse and recycle), which helps in lessening the impact of human activities on the natural ecosystem but we rarely do anything about it. This is easy to achieve by making small changes like switching to organic food as chemical fertilizers emit a great amount of greenhouse gases. You should also prefer locally grown food because they do not require transportation which can impact the pollution levels. It has been further seen that the way food is grown, has a greater impact in reducing carbon emissions than the over-all emission as a result of shipping. Do your bit and you’ll still be enjoying your favourites on the dinner table many years from now.
World Environment Day messages
Humans must know their boundaries when dealing with environment: President
The human being, as a cultural creature, is considered more important than any other living creature because of their ability to conquer the environment, President Maithripala Sirisena said.
“Although, the mankind was forced to make changes in the environment to a certain extent to build essential things for survival of them such as houses and roads, the natural disasters which occur from time to time, emphasise to the human beings regarding their boundaries that they should know while dealing with the environment,” he stated in a message to mark World Environment Day.
Following is the full text of the message of the President:
“Human being, as a cultural creature, is considered more important than any other living creature because of their ability to conquer the environment. Although, the mankind forced to make changes in the environment to a certain extent to build essential things for survival of them such as houses and roads, the natural disasters occur from time to time emphasize the human beings regarding their boundaries that they should know while dealing with the environment.
At present, the environment has gone beyond its earlier depiction as a topic of natural beauty and today it is a major topic of the global dialogue the context of the scientific structure.
Discoveries like land degradation due to the global warming, many issues arisen as a result of the climate change, medical science findings about respiratory diseases that carbon emissions can directly cause for these diseases has made this dialogue more pivotal.
All prominent nations have given priority to this vital topic and, approach toward this subject with utmost concern as they have understood the profound truth that humans cannot survive by going against the environment.
Various programmes were launched across the world to mark World Environment Day with the aim of taking this decisive dialogue to the public.
I believe, we as a country, step by step becoming the part of the list of the countries of natural disaster risk. Hence, it is essential to understand this message about the environment.
I believe, in this Day of World Environment we can spread the message of environmental dialogue, which compels the humans to be satisfied with a development level that the environment could tolerate, among the Sri Lanka community.”
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Don’t neglect nature: PM
It is a tragedy that people who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their religion, tend to neglect nature, which is the spirit of all these religions, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe states in an Environment Day message.
The Prime Minister also noted that it is insensitive to refrain from taking measures to protect the environment, while knowing that environmental annihilation leads to the extinction of human beings.
The theme of this year’s environment day celebrations is ‘Seven Billion Population – One Planet – Lets Handle Carefully.’ Nature has gifted most essential resources for the human being. Extreme greed leads humans to exploit natural resources and this situation has led to the extinction of nature and human being, he said.
The Prime Minister said the theme of this year’s environment day has emphasised the importance of protecting nature for the betterment of all.
“Through the positive changes of lifestyles such as economising on water and electricity consumption, minimising the usage of polythene and the usage of alternative sources, reforestation, proper garbage disposal practices, we can contribute for the protection of nature,” Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.
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How Important are environmental issues for people’s representatives in the parliament in Sri Lanka?
Source : 06/06/2016 Daily News ( Sri Lanka ) http://dailynews.lk/?q=2016/06/06/local/83759 and www.manthri.lk
Concerns deeper than the Ocean
Life is believed to have started in the oceans. Oceans are described by scientists as the origin of life being an island nation, the ocean is never too far from us and our lives are very much linked to it. We know the beauty as well as bounty the ocean brings us. The World Oceans Day being June 8 conceived and adopted in 1982 at the Earth Summit held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil gives an opportunity to recognize the importance of the underwater world. The law and the institutions of justice are pillars of stability in our communities, it is vital that, they remain strong and relevant in times of crisis too.
Coastal and marine resources
Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean with a coastline of about 1,760 km. The ‘territorial limits’ of the island extend to 12 miles (19.2 km) offshore, beyond which lies the ‘contiguous zone’ under the provisions of the UN Law of the Sea. Sri Lanka has jurisdiction over an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 200 nautical miles outwards from the shoreline and covers an area of over 230 000 km2 of the ocean. Along its coast line are a variety of ecosystems which include sandy beaches, rocky shores, lagoons and estuaries, mangrove stands, salt marshes and sand dunes. In the shallow waters off the coastline are found sea grass beds, coral growths and coral reefs. The other coastal ecosystems of significant importance are the mangroves and coastal wetlands. They serve as habitats for a large number of commercially important species, as food producers, run-off retainers, salt traps, water purifiers and as coastal stabilizers. Mangroves are among the few woody plants which can tolerate the undiluted salinity of the open sea. The seas overlying the Continental shelf are referred to as coastal. They support our coastal fisheries, which are the main source of marine fish production. Beyond the edge of the continental shelf is the ‘continental slope’, which descends rather steeply to the floor of the deep ocean. The waters beyond the continental edge form our ‘offshore’ ocean waters.
Marine biological resources include fishery, shrimps, lobster, crash, sea cucumber, economically valuable sea weeds, and a large number of ornamental fish.
International protection
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was adopted by the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) on April 30, 1982 after lengthy conference negotiations at which 157 Governments took part. On December 10, 1982 the Convention was signed by 119 delegations. The final Convention consisted of a preamble and 445 Articles, divided in to 17 parts and 9 annexes. It can be seen that the Law of the Sea Convention is not restricted to codifying, consolidating and reaffirming the existing international law. In addition, it establishes novel concepts such as the exclusive economic Zone (EEZ), the regime for Archipelagic State and the common heritage of man kind. Article 2 of Part II provides for the breadth of the territorial sea to be up to a limit of 12 nautical miles. Article 46 provided for the establishment of a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic Zone. Article 118 of part II introduced a new concept of Archipelagic baselines, helping to delimit the territorial sea and other zones of Archipelagic States. There are special provisions in Articles 56, 61, 62 and 119 of the UNCLOS III for conservation of the living marine resources. Article 91 of the UNCLOS III is also important concerning the rights and duties of coastal states.
Sri Lanka is a party to the Law of the Sea Convention acceded to by Sri Lanka on December 10, 1982 and exercises jurisdiction over the territorial sea, continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone and the contiguous zone in keeping with the definitions laid down in that convention.
Constitutional protection
Environmental protection has received constitutional recognition in Sri Lanka under 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. Chapter VI on Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental duties of the 1978 Constitution makes specific reference for promoting environmental well being under Article 27(14). The corresponding duty of a citizen to promote ecological security also finds expression in the Constitution under Article 28. (f)
Under the 13th Amendment enacted in 1987, powers and functions of government are categorized into three lists, namely the Provincial Councils Lists (List 1), the Reserved List (List II), and the Concurrent List (List III). Protection of the environment has been listed as a concurrent subject in List III. This means that Parliament may make laws with respect to the protection of the environment after consultation with all provincial councils, as it seems appropriate. Under List 1, the function of environmental protection within the province is assigned to provincial councils to the extent permitted by or under any law made by the Parliament.
Legislative protection
During the British period in Sri Lanka from 1796 – 1948, they paid some attention to the protection of coastal and marine resources in the country. Accordingly several relevant statutes were enacted. The Crown Lands Ordinance (1947) was enacted amongst other things to provide for the administration and control of inland waters and to define the crown’s rights in what are known as Res Publicae and Res Communes in Roman Dutch Law. The legal position regarding State control over the foreshore must now be ascertained by reference to the Crown Lands Ordinance, the Coast Conservation Act, and other Statutes regulating land use and development.
Since Independence in 1948, successive governments had extensively paid attention towards the protection of coastal and marine resources. National legislation like the Maritime Zones Act No. 22 of 1976, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996, Coast Conservation Act No. 57 of 1981, Marine Environment Protection Act 2008 etc., are compatible to a great degree with the international law on the subject introduced by UNCLOS 111.
The Coast Conservation Act also defines foreshore in a slightly modified and specific manner as the ‘area of the shore of the sea between the mean high water and the mean low water mark (Section 42). Nevertheless it does not qualify the provisions of the Crown Lands Ordinance regarding the State’s right to control and manage the seashore and issue permits in respect of it.
It merely affirms that the ‘administration, control, custody and management of the Coastal Zone (a much wider area as defined in section 42 is in the Republic in Sri Lanka’). (Section 2)
The legal position regarding the sea is also a matter for international law. However, today Sri Lankan statutes contain provisions that regulate State rights and interest in respect of the sea. It is useful to briefly refer to the Maritime Zones Law No 22 of 1976 the major legislation that regulates this subject (Sections 11,12) and the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No 59 of 1981. ‘The sea’ for the purposes of our law has been defined by the Marine Pollution Prevention Act as ‘Sri Lankan waters’ (Section 37). This is defined as including specific areas of the sea around the island by the Maritime Zones Law. This law declares the extent of territorial sea and the other maritime Zones of Sri Lanka. It gives President of the Republic the power to declare by the proclamation published in the Gazette the limits of the territorial of sea of Sri Lanka, specifying the base lines from which such limits may be measured. The territorial sea is defined as the sea beyond the land and the internal waters (Section 2 (1)).
The law also provides for a similar declaration of the limits of the contiguous zone, which shall extend seawards from the outer limits of the territorial sea (Section 4). Other areas which can be declared as part of the Sri Lankan waters are ‘the exclusive rconomic zone’, and the pollution prevention zone (an area adjacent to the territorial sea, its sea bed and subsoil.
The Maritime Zones Law vests the State (the Republic of Sri Lanka) with sovereign rights in the territorial sea and its bed and subsoil. (Section 2(3)). This includes the air space above the territorial sea. The State is vested with rights over the all natural resources within exclusive economic zone. It has also exclusive right to control scientific research in this area and in regard to construction, maintenance and operation of scientific devices that are necessary for exploring and exploiting the resources of this zone or for any other purpose. It has the sovereign rights of economic use and the right to explore, exploit conserve and manage the natural resources of this zone (Section 5)2)(3)). Similar rights have been vested in regard to the continental shelf. (Section 6).
The Coast Conservation Act No 57 of 1981 by its Section 2 places the administration, control, custody and management of the coastal zone in the hands of the state. The Coast Conservation Department is the agency with authority over the coastal zone. The coastal zone is the area lying within 300 m landwards of the mean high water line and the area within 2 km seawards of the mean low water line. In the case of water bodies connected to the sea, the landwards boundary extends 2 km from the natural entrance points. (Section 42).
The Coast Conservation Act No 57 of 1981 and its amended Act No. 64 of 1988 prohibits any person to engage in a development activity within the coastal zone, unless such person is authorized by a permit issued by the Director of Coast Conservation. Section 6 of the Act provides for the appointment of a Coast Conservation Advisory Council mandated with advising the Minister of Fisheries on all development activities proposed to be commenced in the coastal zone, reviewing the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) and forwarding recommendations to the Director/ Coast Conservation.
The Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (MPPA) was established by the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No 59 of 1981. The purpose of this Act is to give effect to the several international conventions of marine pollution and civil and criminal liability to which Sri Lanka has become a signatory. The MPPA has authority over Sri Lanka waters which includes the territorial sea, contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf and pollution prevention zone as defined in the Maritime Zones Law No 22 of 1976.
The Marine Pollution Prevention Act No 59 of 1981 gives effect to the following five International Conventions:
1. The International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil 1954, as amended;
2. The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969;
3. The International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971;
4.The International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Case of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969; and
5. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1972 and the Protocol of 1978.
National Aquatic Research Development Agency (NARA) has been established under the Act No.54 of 1981 for development of marine resources and it handles research and some aspects of development of this subject. This is a comprehensive Act with regard to Fisheries Regulations made in 1941and 1981. National Aqua Culture Development Authority was established under the Act No. 55 of 1998.
Fauna and Flora Protection (Amendment) Act, No 49 of 1993 Provides for six categories of protect areas – among which are a marine sanctuary and natural reserve. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No 2 of 1996 provides for the management and regulation of fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka and its repeals the Fisheries Ordinance No 24 of 1940, the Chank Fisheries Act No. 08 of 1953, Perl fisheries Ordinance No 2 of 1925 and the Whaling Ordinance of No. 02 of 1936.
The Marine Environment Protection Authority Act of 2008 provides for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution in Sri Lankan territorial sea, coastal areas as well as other sea areas.
The Act established the Marine Environment Protection Authority as a Regulatory body to administer the Act. The Coast Guard Department established under the Coast Guard Act No. 14 of 2009 is to implement the laws of the land and international laws on the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.
Issues and remedies
Toxic materials entering coastal areas and territorial and seas result in coastal erosion and destruction of fish nursery areas. Hence, the global marine environment in the territorial sea is increasingly threatened by inter alia, over fishing, global climate change, habitat modification and destruction of it.
Sea erosion induced by river sand mining, and population pressure resulting from more people finding livelihoods and employment in coastal areas, as well as a booming tourist industry that has exceeded the carrying capacity in several locations causing extensive damage to the critical ecosystems, have led to substantial lowering of the protective and buffering capacity of the habitats of the coastal zone.
The magnitude of devastation resulting from the tsunami that Sri Lanka and several other Indian Ocean countries experienced awakened authorities, civil society, and all other organised groups to the reality of observing the level of unpreparedness, either to face and mitigate such calamities, or manage an expedient recovery plan.
Coral reefs in the territorial sea should be declared as bio reserves and should be further protected. Strict marine resource laws should be enacted by all tropical countries to prohibit coral reef mining for building or other purposes. The territorial sea bed drilling has a harmful impact on territorial sea marine resources. Therefore territorial sea drilling in sensitive coral reef areas has to be totally banned. Oil tanker shipping routes must be specified to avoid coral reef areas and other marine resources in the territorial sea.
The oil spill is very dangerous to living biological marine resources in the territorial sea. Safety standards of ships, vessels seaworthiness and harbour rules and regulations should be introduced under the Shipping Law and heavy penalties have to be imposed on polluting vessels in the territorial sea areas.
At this stage it should also be pointed out that the scope of State’s rights in the Coastal and Marine resources as well as natural resources of Sri Lanka are not absolute rights. In fact, the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, being the Head of State of Sri Lanka, serves not as an owner but only as a ‘custodian’ of all natural resources of the country inclusive of coastal and marine resources.
Source : Daily News ( Sri Lanka ) http://dailynews.lk/?q=2016/06/06/features/83773
Torture of elephants : discussion of wildlife and environment
“Thilina Gamage” is a pleasant young non-controversial magistrate, who was charged un
der the Public Property Act for rearing a baby elephant valued at Rs.6.9 million allegedly without a valid licence. It is also alleged that he has been evading Courts awaiting the outcome of his application for anticipatory bail. His defence is said to be that the person from whom he bought the elephant calf is in possession of a valid receipt. Many other cases are pending with more wrong doings and inquiries which are shelved and swept under the carpet for obvious reasons.
Another owner of an elephant calf was a powerful member of the legislature under the previous regime. He had become a multimillionaire within few years and it is unlikely that his matter will come to the surface because he has agreed to cross over and divulge information. “Thilina’s” matter is given wide publicity as the other case of a famous Buddhist Monk allegedly rearing an elephant calf unlawfully. Presumably he may have crossed the path in some way to get into this soup unlike many other illegal elephant owners who are unconcerned and unaffected. There are cases pending and our area of discussion is limited and restricted to general information and facts that are of public interest. Wide publicity is given to this case and the facts which are somewhat unusual and concerns environmentalists, activists, professionals and the media.
Whether a magistrate could afford to purchase and maintain an elephant calf is a matter left to him, but whether he has complied with the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of 1937 amended in 2009 is the main issue to be considered. Section 23 of the Act states that any elephant which has not been registered under S/23, shall be presumed to be taken or removed without lawful authority with such elephants deemed to be public property. An elephant needs 150 kg of food and 150 litres of water a day and the cost of maintenance including the salary to the mahout is beyond an average citizen. These facts are common to all involved in the illegal trade still flourishing with the help of the rich and powerful.
Elephants are Intelligent Social Animals
Elephants are intelligent, social, society inclined and socially complex animals living in herds with a leader and bonded together in loving and peaceful environments. They keep away from other animals and other animals keep elephants at arm’s length except tigers and scavengers taking immature calves as prey amid ferocious resistance from the mother. They are full of family bonds, social and lovable harmless creatures unless they are threatened and their habitat is disturbed. They are a part of the environment preserving the environment, and the beauty of the jungle and jungle life.
Elephants are connected to Sri Lankan culture and customs and during the time of the Kings, wealth was assessed on the ownership of elephants. This system trickled down for generations considering the elephant as a symbol of social status. Kings and the rich only could own elephants presented and permitted to be owned by Royal decree. The situation changed after colonization when the British took to the killing of elephants to reduce the number for convenience. Due to the import of heavy vehicles and the introduction of the train service, the use of the elephant was confined to customary rituals such as the Perahera, a status symbol and a tourist attraction. Today an elephant has become one of the most expensive merchandise.
Snatching Baby Elephants from the Jungle
Snatching baby elephants from the jungle has attracted illegal traders because of the millions of rupees involved in the illegal trade equal to or more lucrative than the drug trade. It is a simple operation with the help of politicians, the powerful and the rich with the connivance of the Wildlife Department staff who are supposed to protect the elephants and wildlife from rogues.
The mother elephant is shot and killed to separate the calf which is tied or transported out and a veterinary surgeon’s certificate and the birth certificate are taken for the name to be entered in the elephant registration book which is a controversial book discussed in a number of cases against the leader “Ali Roshan” (Elephant Roshan) and other illegal elephant traders . It is a well-established illegal trade with large acres of land and heavy vehicles for the transport of calves and a lot of money to spend on politicians, Wildlife Department and the cronies in the system which are highlighted in the media and case records of ‘Ali Roshan’ and his accomplices are accused in other cases which have been given wide publicity.
VijithaVijumuni Soysa has been the wildlife minister for a considerable period until he crossed over to the Yahpalanaya” Good Governance for safety of absolving himself of any wrong doings. He said most of the domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka had been acquired illegally and would take steps to make it legal. He makes funny and controversial statements now and then on the matter.
Way Forward
Elephants are our treasure and a symbol of culture from the time of Kings who respected and protected the animal, which is a part and parcel of our environment and wealth. They go through torture in captivity with no food and additional torture during transit and living under pathetic conditions. Methods used to capture them are barbaric and illegal. The human-elephant conflict is due to the invasion of their habitats by unplanned deforestation and development projects.
We are proud to have 8,873 elephants with the numbers decreasing rapidly due to the human-elephant conflict and lack of coordination and the non-implementation of the Act and the absence of preventive measures. Organized groups snatch elephant calves from the jungle and sell them for millions with forged papers which are controversial amid the alteration of the elephant registration book. We do not need outsiders to ruin us and our culture. We are ruining ourselves, our environment and our cultural heritage in temples and wildlife with the most uncommon animals in the globe. It is time to demand zero elephant private ownership and minimize the use of elephants in peraheras in the interest of the future of the Nation.
Elephant populated areas such as Habarana must be declared as elephant habitats and protected with live wires with chena cultivators being provided alternative land. One must read the campaign for elephants welfare in the countries with no elephants or greenery. We do not realise the value of the elephant and the culture and environment connected to them because we are fortunate to possess this rare environments. Citizens are not concerned or worried about the cases and the parties involved, but if something good is the outcome of the cases they will be happy and contented. May this message will reach the people in power.
(Source :04/06/2016 Daily Mirror ( Sri Lanka ) http://www.dailymirror.lk/110453/Torture-of-elephants-#sthash.NoofVB20.dpuf)
Zimbabwe lobbies neighbors on ivory trade, will not burn stocks
(Photo: Philimon Bulawayo)
Zimbabwe is seeking support from its neighbors to be allowed to engage in international trade in ivory and will not burn its 70 tonnes of ivory stocks as Kenya did last month, the environment minister said on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe and Namibia are bidding to open up international trade in elephant ivory, against initiatives led by Kenya for a complete global ban.
Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri told diplomats from the Southern African Development Community that Zimbabwe was counting on their support at the next U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in September.
Muchinguri said banning trade in ivory would not stop poaching and gave the example of how the rhino population remained under threat 40 years after trading in the rhino horn was outlawed by CITES.
“There is no tangible evidence that trade bans have ever saved a species from extinction,” Muchinguri said. “It is imperative for our regional economy that SADC countries unite in defending our right to sustainably use our natural resources.”
Muchinguri said plans by the European Union to ban hunting trophies from Africa, as the United States did after the killing of Cecil the lion last year, would cause hunting revenues to fall and push people living near wildlife to resort to poaching.
Cash-strapped Zimbabwe says trade is the only way to pay for the costs of protecting its 83,000 elephants. Zimbabwe says it has 70 tonnes of raw ivory in government storage estimated to be worth $35 million.
“To us, burning is not an option, we need the resources for sustainable wildlife conservation,” Muchinguri said.
On May 3, Zimbabwe put the wild animals in its national parks up for sale, saying it needed buyers to step in and save the beasts from a devastating drought.
Democratic Republic of Congo ambassador Mwampanga Mwana Nanga said his country supported Harare’s proposals and was talking to Zimbabwe on the possibility of importing wildlife, including elephants.
At a meeting of African countries in Uganda on Wednesday on protecting lions, delegates agreed that carefully controlled hunting could help keep the species from extinction.
The final communique from the meeting of 28 states convened by CITES said: “the benefits that trophy hunting, where it is based on scientifically established quotas … contributed to the conservation of lion populations.”
Trophy hunting has been in the global media since Cecil the lion was killed in Zimbabwe by an American dentist after it strayed outside Hwange National Park.
Lion numbers in Africa fell 43 percent between 1993 and 2014. But in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, which have regulated hunting industries, the lion populations have grown, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(Source :02/06/2016 : Planet Ark :http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/74518)
Delicate balance between Development and environment
According to government reports, recent floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have caused widespread disruption across country. Over 400,000 people have been displaced by floods, many casualties have been reported, and dozens are feared missing. Government puts this down to climate change. Such disasters were on the discussion table since 2010, and it was to be expected.
Center for environmental and Nature studies (CENS), Sri Lanka repeatedly reached out to the Environment Ministry and relevant authorities to put a stop to the destruction of environmentally-sensitive areas while implementing the National Physical Plan. But such entreaties were blatantly disregarded. This capitalist system is bent on increasing profit for the business community and decreases quality of life. This article elaborates on the reasons for flooding, landslides and other disasters.
The National Physical Plan to be implemented from 2011 to 2030 creates serious negative impacts on the ecosystems, so far untouched by development interventions. As a result of Colombo-Matara Highway, Sinharaja forest would be fragmented twice and 39 forests, including Sinharaja will be destroyed due to the proposed-development activities. Bibile, Nilgala area would have tremendous negative repercussions as a result of the proposed-hotel complexes.
Forests act as a barrier to soil erosions. Roots systems of these trees hold the soil layers together, protecting the earth from landslides. Destruction of forest cover increases soil erosion and risk of landslides. The percentage value of available forest area in 2012 is around 16.5 and by 2030, it is estimated that this will be further reduced to between 13 to 10 per cent with the decrease of forests due to the implementation of National Physical Plan, if the current government decides to go through with it. Ground water levels in the forests will deplete, and rivers will suffer from acute water shortage and go dry. It has been identified that 103 rivers will turn dry as in the case of Maguru Oya which is almost completely dried out.
There are riffles and pools midstream of every river. According to our research observations, riffles and pools have been covered by concrete buildings and roads. Micro-hydro projects and mega-development projects have blocked water-feeding channels, in Kelani River, for example. Riffles and pools are located in Kaluaggala, Avisswella, Waga and Hanwella areas. Colombo-Avissawella Road and many building were built, blocking and destroying riffles and pools. This is the cause for the many floods and landslides in many areas.
Flow of water in the riverbed should be natural. In the Sri Lankan scenario, downstream riverbeds are filled with sediments, hindering the natural flow of water. Sediment is transport to riverbeds from flood plains; erosion and construction around rivers increase flood and landslides. For example, due to construction of Pico hydro power on top of Laxapana waterfall and Kitulgala, Kelani River receives tons of sediments. This has resulted in increased incidence of flooding in Hanwella and Colombo areas. Most rivers receive lots of sediments from mega highway construction activities and other mega development sites.
In the process of building large cities, highways, airports, tourist hotels, a large number of minor tanks will disappear and tank cascades will be blocked disrupting natural water flow. As a result, droughts and floods will become a recurrent feature in Anuradapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Kurunegala.
Many floodplains are being ravaged by mega development projects. For example, a highway was built destroying Muturajawela wetland and many other wetlands in the country. Before the highway was built, not a single incident of flooding was reported in Kaduwela and Ja-Ela areas. Encroachment of floodplain has caused massive disasters in the past. Many floodplains have been converted to build sites of homes, businesses and other urban development activities.
This is most evident in Kelani River, during rainy season when water level of Kelani River goes up flooding human settlements built in the floodplain.
The Mahaweli Development Plan which kicked off with the anticipation of tremendous development within a short period resulted in ecological disasters such as landslides, increased incidence of floods, human-elephant conflict, land fragmentation and loss of biodiversity. The country is still paying debts to international funding agencies that funded Mahaweli Accelerated Development Programme. This trend continues with the development activities proposed under the National Physical Plan.
In another example, many people die in the Meeriaybedda landslide in 2014. The cause of the landslide is believed to be the drilling and blasting method used for rock breaking and tunnel drilling of the Uma Oya project. The vibration caused by the process subjects the area to the inevitable risk of landslides in the future.
We have enough environmental laws to protect nature and prevent disasters, but all laws are under political and monetary influence. Funds for the destructive National Physical Plan are provided by funding agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
John Parkinson in his Book Confession of an Economic Hit Man recounts how countries like America believed in a rapid, tremendous development through and when they found that their developmental interventions failed one by one, they attempted to maintain their economy by exploiting other countries with high interest rates and conspiracies to topple governments acting against their policies and so-called development programmes.
In Parkinson’s view, the capitalist countries build hope in the minds of leaders in poor countries through their imaginary models for rapid economic development. One such example is Norochcholai Coal Power Project in Sri Lanka. The project has failed to provide any of the benefits promised at inception.
Parkinson further says that foreign companies provide loans through which developing countries can be caught in an everlasting debt trap. Capitalist countries make huge profits through interest charged for loans and exploitation of natural resources of the countries concerned. They are also concerned with appointing people who obey their policies and commands as the leaders of these countries.
Similar fate would befall Sri Lanka, if the current government is to follow through with the National Development Plan. Mega development does not sustain the world. Luxury apartments, highways, airports, megacities, supermarkets cannot be considered socio-economic indicators of a country. Though capitalist regimes unconditionally stand by the National Physical Plan, World Bank and Asian Development Bank agendas, they do not bother about the priorities of the vulnerable majority.
Source 30-05-2016 Nation( Sri Lanka http://nation.lk/online/2016/05/28/delicate-balance-between-development-and-environment.html
President Sirsena pledges to take strict action against environmental destruction
President Maithripala Sirisena while addressing an event held in Polonnaruwa today, stated that if any environmental harm is reported in a certain area, strict action will be taken against the responsible government official in the area.
The event was held at the Sevamuktha Kandavura Maha Vidyalaya in Polonnaruwa this morning to declare the National Environment Week, parallel to World Environment Day which falls on the 5th of June.
President Sirisena planted a Na sapling at the school premises to mark the Tree Planting Programe implemented in line with the National Environment Week. Gold medals were awarded for the Environmental Pioneer Brigade in the Dimbulagala area under the auspices of the President.
The President in his address pointed out that the Kelani River basin in the Colombo District lies completely destroyed today and around 150 meters on either side of the banks of the Kelani River are full of constructions and all reserves which belong to this river are destroyed.
He further added that buildings have been constructed over the canals, drains and waterways in Colombo and especially Kolonnawa and it is the politicians, state officials and everyone of their respective eras who should be held responsible for this and if any unauthorized buildings or environmental pollution happens in a way which damages the canal and river preservation in any area, strict action will be taken against the responsible government officials in these areas.
(Source : 30-05-2016: News First (Sri Lanka http://newsfirst.lk/english/2016/05/president-sirsena-pledges-take-strict-action-environmental-destruction/137861)
Why we should promote organic agriculture
Whole world is gradually getting under the control of profit-oriented multi-national companies. These so-called wars between West and Middle East countries are their income. Companies who make fighter jets, dig earth for fuels, build ships to transport soldiers, food supplies in war field are some of the well-known businesses. Even donating legs to soldiers who lost their limbs in wars could be their business in a form of donation to evade taxes. All these companies are fully equipped with highly qualified professionals educated from universities specialized in required expertise. It is the real scenario behind this so-called world politics.
Under this scenario, just imagine what would happen if two companies specialized in agro chemicals and medical drugs and equipment (such as kidney transplant machines) start a joint venture. Even funding required for producing expertise in the form of PhDs etc. could be there investment in a form of donation to universities. Though it may not yet has happened, there is every possibility in a profit-oriented world.
Taxing consumers
Chemical based agriculture started after World War II. Excess Urea available mainly in bomb making factories was sent to countries such as Sri Lanka as free aids.
In 70s Urea was given to farmers free of charge initially and later for cash. Ultimate result was never ending dependency on fertilizer subsidies in order to economically justify agriculture for farmers. These subsidies are recovered by taxing consumers. It is kind of vicious circle energized by never ending dependency on imported fertilizers.
Unless, we, as a nation equip ourselves for our basic need called hunger, what would happen to countries like Sri Lanka even when required resources are still available
Chemical based agriculture
Our resource is our organic fertilizer rich soil and rest of the eco system. Soil is a kind of organic agriculture factory. Earth worms and other fauna are the factory labourers. Application of chemical agriculture gradually paralyses this labour force and eventually completely vanished even extinct beyond recovery. Though some of our agriculture areas are already experiencing this pathetic stage to some extent, I think it is still recoverable. Unless we promote organic agriculture among farmers who are actually doing farming on the field, what is the long term solution Unless it is carefully managed, in my view, the dependency on chemical based agriculture is a suicidal mission for the whole nation, still not clearly noticed by us.
Getting out of this vicious circle is a gradual process. We are already addictively and unknowingly in it. In my view, Out of Box thinking is a must to find solutions to this dilemma. I hope this article would create a dialogue among those thinkers.
(Source : 30-05-2016 ( Daily News ( Sri Lanka ) http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=2016/05/30/features/83127)
