Dr. B.M.K. Perera - gefsgpsl.orggefsgpsl.org/NewsPaper/Environmental News 3 volume 2 Issue...

April - June, 2004 Volume 3 Issue 2 ISSN: 1391-7455

GEF-SGP��

��

A Better Tomorrow forour Turtles ........................... 3

World Environment DayCelebrations ........................ 4

Conservation of Medicinalherbs in Digamadulla ............. 6

Operational Projects .............. 7

��

Two-thirds of the surface of our planet iscovered with water. Needless to say stateand quality of oceans affects all life on earth.Attempts to minimize pollution of oceanstherefore should be viewed as an urgentneed of the day. If the current rate of

pollution of oceans were to continueunabated, in the next few years, the worldwould experience many drasticconsequences of our ownshortsightedness. How do oceans become

polluted?

The worst pollutants include crudeoil and related products, ferti l izers,agro-chemicals, plast ics and non-biodegradable products, var ioustoxic compounds and radioactivenucleic waste dumped into the seas.A m o n g t h e m , c r u d e o i l a n dpetroleum products cause most ofthe damage. It has been estimatedthat, annually, about 21 million barrelsof crude oil enters the sea in variousways. About 60% of the crude oilused worldwide is transported fromcountry to country via sea routes.C l e a n i n g o f g i g a n t i c t a n k e r straversing the seas is a major sourceof entry of crude oil into oceans. Forexample, in 2002, the accident, whichinvolved the tanker ‘Prestige’ in theEnglish Channel, caused the leakageof about 50,000 barrels into the sea.During the past 10 years alone, anestimated 600,000 barrels of crude oilhas been released to the oceans.

� For over th ree genera t ions ,inhabitants of the Minamata Bay areaof Japan have been suffering the illeffects of mercury pollution widely

��

I t is indeedcommendable thatthe UNEP hasselected the themeof prevention ofpol lut ion of theoceans by posingthe question ‘Arethe oceans neededdead or al ive?’Decidedly, th isshould be an eye-opener for all of usinhabitants of thisplanet.

��NEWS� Volume 3

Issue 2April - June, 2004ISSN: 1391-7455

Inside

This newsletter is a quarterly publication by the Global Environment Facility / Small Grants Programme of the

United Nations Development Programme Sri Lanka

To Page 02.....


GEF-SGP��

�

��

known as the ‘Minamata disease’ –asevere environmental problem ofcatastrophic proportions.

��The losses to the world economyassociated with oceanic pollutionamounts to an estimated US $ 12.8million, annually.

�� Plastics and non-biodegradablematerials cause the death of countlessnumbers of birds and animals. Theproblem has been exacerbated due tothe development of a scavenging by seabirds in rubbish dumps containing anabundance of p last ic mater ia ls .Ingestion of plastics is also responsiblefor the deaths of an estimated 100,000sea mammals.

��With the escalation of the use ofagrochemicals worldwide, the amountof nitrogenous pollutants reaching theoceans with river water has beenenormous which has lead to thedevelopment of oxygen-poor patchesutterly unsuitable for oceanic life. Forexample, Mexico Bay is among the150 areas identified worldwide asunsuitable for aquatic life due to thisphenomenon.

The importance of oceans

About 90% of the biomass is in theoceans of the world, and about 3.5 billionpeople depend on it for their livelihood. Itis estimated that this number wouldincrease to about 8 billion in about 20years.

Biodiversity of the oceans is also second tonone, especially that of the coral reefs. Only0.5% of the surface of oceans contains coralreefs. But it is this seemingly insignificantniche, which contributes to the continuedexistence of about 90% dwellers of the seas,either directly or indirectly. About 109countries of the world have stretches ofcoral reef surrounding them. An estimated60% of these face the threat of extinctionwithin the next 3 decades.

Steps taken to curb oceanicpollution

Although the rate of pollution is on ther i s e , s e v e r a l i n t e r n a t i o n a lconventions have been developedwith the intent of protect ing theoceans. The Basel Convention of1989, control l ing the disposal ofhazardous waste in oceans is onesuch measure directed at protecting

the oceanic environment. By the year2002, 149 countr ies had becomesignatories to this convention. SriLanka signed this convention on the6th of May 1992.

The Law of the Ocean of the UN alsois designed to protect the world’soceans. This law enables Sri Lankato protect 489,000 square kilometreso f seas and en fo r ce ru l es andregulations within its precincts. Thenumber of countries benefiting fromthis law is 164.

Var ious malpract ices ormismanagement associated wi thshipping may be controlled by theMARPOL convention of 1973, signed inLondon. So far 26 countries have signedthis convention.

It is debatable whether entering into suchconventions alone can protect the oceansof the world. The truly protected oceanicenvironments constitute less than 0.5%while about 11.5% of the terrestrialenvironments has been accorded somemeasure of protection.

Sri Lanka and its strategic position in theIndian Ocean exposes our shores to the

National CoordinatorGlobal Environment Facility / Small Grants ProgrammeUnited Nations Development ProgrammeP.O. Box : 1505, No. 202-204,Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.Tel : 0094-11-2580691 - 9Fax : 0094-11-2581116E- mail : [email protected]

Editor / Coordinator (GEF/SGP News Letter)Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society (SLEES)No. 504, Kandy Road,Meepitiya, Kegalle,Sri Lanka.Tel / Fax : 0094-35-2232678E- mail : [email protected], [email protected] : www.geocities.com /sleesweb

Page setting and Printing :

Editor / Coordinator : Mr. Ruwan WeerasooriyaEditor (English) : Dr. B.M.K. PereraEditor (Tamil) : Mr. S. VisvalingamAssistant Coordinator : Mr. Dayan Karunarathne

Photo Sponsors : Ruwan Weerasooriya, SLEES Nature Photo Library

This Newsletter is published by the Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society (SLEES) on behalf of the Global Environment Facility/ Small Grants

Programme of the United Nations Development Programme with the concurrence of the

National Coordinator (NC) and the SGP National Steering Committee (NSC).

Please note that the activities reported in this newsletter have been prepared based on information provided by the relevant organizations.

From Page 01....

To Page 07.....


GEF-SGP��

�

Seven species of turtlesare known to inhabit theoceans of the world, ofwhich five are found tonest in the shores of SriLanka. These are theGreen, Olive Ridley,Leatherback, Hawksbilland the Loggerhead, allconsidered asthreatened by the IUCN.Although turtles havebeen accorded protectedstatus in Sri Lanka since1972, numerous humanactivities continue todeplete their populations.

Eggs as well as youngtur t les fa l l prey tonumerous predatorsbefore reaching the seaand many morebecome tasty morselscoveted by fish and otheranimals. In addition tothese natural causes,

��

��

��

��

humans are responsible for the depletionof their populations. Poaching of eggs andkilling turtles for flesh or shells (theLoggerhead) are leading causes ofendangering their very existence. Turtlesare lost due to accidental entanglement innets, loss of habitat due to destruction ofmangroves, coral reefs and seaweedpatches, sea erosion, construction ofvarious structures and oceanic pollution.

The numerous tur t le hatcher ies,maintained without any scientific basisand for the sole purpose of attractingtourists, along the coastline of Sri Lankapave the way to diminishing their stocksrather than help save them. The year1992 saw the launching of a Turtle

Conservation Project established forthe purpose of scientific study on turtlebehaviour patterns, threats to existenceand related socio-economic factors. Ina col laborat ive survey conductedrecently, the project has identified manysites, along the coastal belt, where theturtles nest. The survey has revealedthat there are about 35 sites used byturtles, year after year to lay their eggs,between Mount Lavinia and Koggalaand be tween Seen imodara andArugam Bay. There is evidence thatthese si tes play a cr i t ical role indetermining the populations of turtles.

Results of these studies have made itpossible to develop and introduce a

series of participatory programmes toprotect turtles. The project strives tomake the best use of the people livingin these areas to contribute to this work.Awareness and training programmesconducted by volunteers are widelyused to enhance the people ’sparticipation and to make projectactivit ies a success. The projectexpects to persuade people engagedin harmful activities to take up othersources of income generation.

Rekawa lagoon – a popular nesting siteof turtles was selected to do intense makein conservation. The project recruited 17persons for project activities on at turtleconservation from among those who hadpreviously depended on poaching ofeggs for their livelihood in Rekawa. Inaddition, the project distributed over25,000 medicinal plants to the villagersof Rekawa to obtain their goodwill. Amedicinal garden was established at theRekawa Vidyalaya. Other projectactivities included conducting lectures,film shows and exhibitions for the public,highl ight ing the importance ofenvironmental conservation and re-establishment of mangroves in theRekawa. Developing alternate sourcesof income for villagers of Rekawa isexpected to prevent the villagers fromengaging themselves in harmful activities.These alternate sources of incomeinclude manufacture of handicrafts, batikand coir products.

To Page 06.....


GEF-SGP��

�

Recently, all member organizationssupported by the SGP/ GEF celebratedthe World Environment Day, exhibiting theirsolidarity in matters of global environmentalconservation. The Sri Lanka Nature Forum,a network established in 2003, played thelead role in organizing activities related tothe celebration. The success of theprogramme was ensured by thecommitment of all member organizationsand the solidarity developed after theestablishment of the network. By decidingto conduct the World Environment Day

��

celebrations in the ancientcity of Anuradhapura, inthe North centralProvince, the networkensured that this would notbe another event takingplace in Colombo thecapital city. The idea wasto attract the attention of thepublic of Rajarata or theKing’s country, facingnumerous environmentalthreats. The main themeof ‘Biodiversity and OurCulture’ was adopted forthe celebrations to reflectthe Sri Lankan identity,especially that of Rajarata its agricultureand economic activities focused onimproving the sustainability of production.

The site close to the ancientBasawakkulama Wewa selected for thetwo-day celebration attracted not onlymember organizations of the SGP/GEFbut also government and other non-governmental organizations dedicated tothe cause of environmental conservation.With over 60 exhibition stalls establishedat the site, all participants carried onemessage to the public; i.e. the importanceof conserving the environment.

The highest pointin the celebrationwas a‘B iod ive rs i t ypooja’ held earlyin the morningwith theparticipation allm e m b e rorganizations ofthe network,making offeringsof crops, items of

food and tools and implements producedusing environment-friendly technology. Thepooja was held at one of the most sacredBuddhist places of worship, the monumentalRuwanweli Seya. At 7:00 am a crowd ofabout 2000 people who had gathered for thepooja vended its way to Ruwanweli Seayain a procession, carrying the items they hadbrought for the event. Ven. PallegamaHemarathana, the Chief Incumbent of theRuwanweli Seya Vihara, administered thereligious rites. The offerings were made atRuwanweli Seya with the thoughts of theparticipants focused on the single wish thatenvironmental resources of the country

would continue to berich and benefit thenation and ensure itsprosperity.

The Chief Guest, Hon.Bandula Basnayake,Deputy Minister,Ministry ofEnvironment andNatural Resourcesinaugurated theceremony. Otherd i s t i n g u i s h e dparticipants included

Deputy Resident Representative ofUNDP, Mr. Al i Jamma, Nat ionalCoordinator, SGP, Mrs ShireenSamarasuriya and other UNDP, WFPofficials, Chief Secretary of the NorthCentral Provincial Counci l , MrGotabhaya Jayaratne and DistrictSecretary, Anuradhapura, Mr U.D.Mapa. Many officers from governmentinstitutions in Anuradhapura alsoparticipated in the event.

The welcome address was deliveredby Ven. Mahamakadawala Piyarathanathero, Chief Incumbent of Eppawela


GEF-SGP��

�

Purana Gallen Vihara, and the openingaddress by the Deputy ResidentRepresentative of UNDP.

One of the main highlights in the first half ofthe day was the felicitation of ‘Equator Prize’award winning member of the SGP/GEF,Podujana Himikam Kamituwa, at KualaLumpur, Malaysia. The organization wasgiven a cash prize and a prize from SriLanka Nature Forum for their outstandingachievement.

Another important event for the day was thereading of the ‘Anuradhapura Declaration’,drafted based on ideas expressed bymembers of the network of memberorganizations of SGP/ GEF on how todevelop the nation while conserving theenvironment, traditional values and achievingsustainable resource use through theadoption of a participatory approach todevelopment, while preserving our ownidentity as a nation. The objective of theexercise was to make politicians, policymakers, high level government officers andothers who play a pivotal role in thedevelopment of the country to pay greaterattention to issues of the environment.

The Hon Deputy Minister addressed thegathering focusing on many importantmatters of environmental concern. Thedelivery of the vote of thanks brought theinaugural session to a conclusion.

The exhibition, which followed attractedcrowds of school children and interestedpublic, where they had an opportunity to buyenvironment-friendly items of handicraft,commodities, etc. The evening providedan opportunity for participants and thespectators to enjoy a discussion forum ‘Songand the environment’. The event focusedon ways to improve the creativity writers ofsongs and poets. Distinguished participantsincluded some well-known creative writersfrom Rajarata. They discussed how thephysical as well as cultural environmenthelped them write poems and songs withoriginality and freshness. This wasundoubtedly a memorable and novelexperience to would-be writers as well asothers interested in the song and poem.

The District Secretary and the AdditionalDistrict Secretary of Anuradhapuradeclared open the exhibition on the nextday. It, too, drew crowds of appreciativespectators who had much to gain fromthe experience.

The competitions for the best essaysand art on the Environment DayCelebrat ions were conf ined toparticipants from schools in the NorthCentral Province. The motive was toprovide greater opportunities to schoolswith fewer facilities than city schoolsrather than allow children from largerschools to carry away all the prizes.Cash prizes and certificates were given

to winners f rom schools in theAnuradhapura and Polonnaruwadistricts on the 6th of June 2004, at theend of the exhibition. The organizershoped to develop creativity of schoolchildren by motivating them to developsensev i ty towards env i ronmentconservation.

The organizers decided to hold the nextyear’s Environment Day Celebrations inGalle. The Nature Forum expects to achievegreater participation and commitment of allGEF/ SGP organizations and other NGO’s,to ensure sustainable use of naturalresources, sustainability of our naturalresources for common good.


GEF-SGP��

�

The Nellikele forest in the Damana DSDivision of the Eastern Province stands outamong the different forests in Sri Lanka inthat it contains a wealth of medicinal herbs.Nellikele literally means ‘the forest ofPhyllanthus embilica’(Nelli), The fruits isused for a variety of Ayurvedic medicines.This, however, is not the only medicinal herbfound in Nellikele. The long list includesmany threatened and endemic plants ofmedicinal value. What is special aboutNellikele is that it contains not only medicinalplants characteristically found in the regionbut also many others found in other agro-ecological zones in Sri Lanka.

From ancient times, Nellikele has been aroyal medicinal garden as evidenced bythe presence of numerous stoneinscriptions and ruins of various structures.Many trees are spaced apart in a regularmanner, indicating perhaps intentionalplanting by man. The forest is also rich infaunal diversity: it provides a safe haven tomany animals among which are theelephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambar,spotted deer, etc.

Although the Department of ForestConservation had proclaimed Nellikele asa forest reserve, recent years has seenthe destruction of its unique environmentdue to human activities. Illegal extraction ofmedicinal herbs, intentional firing, felling of

trees and timber extraction, encroachmentand damage to historic monuments areamong activities often seen to affect the forest.

Realizing the importance of conserving thisforest, the SGP/ GEF supported an initiativeby National Ethnic Unity Foundation toconserve this priceless forest. As an initialstep an in-depth study was launched to studyand document its biodiversity, medicinalherbs, historical importance, etc.

The project recognized the need to providealternate sources of income to low incomegroups to prevent them from exploitingresources of Nellikele in a non-sustainablemanner. They were made aware ofappropriate self-employment ventures,through small group formation and thecreation of a revolving fund.

The project interventions promoted thedevelopment of entrepreneurial skills of thevillagers and gave rise to a variety ofincome generating activities including homegardening, animal husbandry, foodpreparations, small businesses, dependingon individual skills and capabilities.

With the view to minimize threats to the forestdue to lack of awareness, six signboardswere posted at points of entry into the forestto create awareness on important aspectsof conservation. Awareness creation wasalso focused on school children by

encouraging them to form environmentprotection societies and holding discussionson environment-related topics.

To add greater weight to the drivetowards protect ing Nel l ikele, theorganizers have produced anddistributed a variety of leaflets highlightingthe importance of its conservation.CBOs, schools and various otherorganizations were among the recipientsof these information leaflets.

��

From Page 03....

Project No: SRI/03/05

Project Title: Biodiversity Conservation

of Nelli Kele Forest Reserve.

Project Period: March 2003-

February 2004

Partner Organization: National Ethnic

Unity Foundation.

Address: Police Quarters Rd, Ampara.

Project Coordinator: Mr. D. W.

Gunasekara

Telephone: 0094-63 -2223425/ 2224603

Project No: SRI/03/20

Project Title: Community Based Marine Turtle

Conservation

Project Period: July 2003-

July 2004

Partner Organization: Turtle Conservation

Project

Address: 389, Godagama, Kosgoda.

Project Coordinator: Mr. Thushan Kapurusinghe

Telephone: 0094-91 -2264765

E-mail : [email protected]

Web site : www.tcpsrilanka.org

Cognizant of the progress made bythe project in achieving set objectivesw i t h s u p p o r t f r o m d i v e r s eenvironmental conservation projectsand organizations, the SGP/ GEFhas extended support to continue thislaudable work. This has enabled theproject to protect nesting sites on thebeaches of Kosgoda. It is realizedthat a project of this nature would notsucceed wi thout people ’s act ivesupport and participation. The projectexpects to provide faci l i t ies and

knowledge to those engaged in thestudy of turtle protection and attractfore ign tour is ts and o ther tu r t lewatchers. Any revenue earned wouldbe used to create awareness amongthe public on turtle conservation. Theproject will support schools along thecoastal belt by providing facilities toobserve turtle behaviour, and givinga keen sense of conservation to theyounger generation.


GEF-SGP��

On going

�

SRL /04/08

SRL /04/09

SRL /04/10

SRL /04/11

SRL /04/12

SRL /04/13

April 2004 -Sep. 2005

Trainnig in project formulation in Environmentalthemes for CBO's North Central Province

Organization for Resource Developmentand Environment193, Welewewa,Nawagattegama.Tel : 060-2262418

SRL /04/14

SRL /04/15

(Sources: Arana, June Issue –2004; Vidusara; BaselConvention; Oceanography; New Scientist)

From Page 02....

danger of considerable oceanic pollution, due to the multitude ofsea routes to various destinations. The material dischargedinto seas by ships sailing close to our shores is believed to behigh. Sri Lanka produces about 40,000 tons of toxic wasteannually. With the escalation of the use of agrochemicals, ourrivers add considerable amounts of pollutants to the sea.Numerous industries also produce significant amounts ofdifferent compounds, which contribute to oceanic pollution.

I t is indeed a pi ty that we in Sr i Lanka do not have asystematic programme for minimizing these threats to

��

Projects approved under the second operational phase of GEF/ SGPProject No. Project Title Partner Organization Project

periodProjectStatus

the health of the ocean, which surrounds our beautifulisland. We have continued to pay scant attention to thepollution caused by ships sailing close to our shores,and have at t imes hesi tated to enforce the law evenwhen the situation warranted it. Reports of pollution byships are becoming a f requent occurrence, and theresultant loss of biodiversity is on the rise, slowly andinexorably.

Sri Lanka Nature ForumC/O Financial Secretariat"Gamagedara", Rathnapura Road,Athgalakanda, Gurugoda, Horana.Tel : 034-2255771

Sabaragamuwa Janatha Padanama267, Parawatta,Wattapotha Road,Nivithigala.Tel : 045-2279160

Participatory Development Centre31, Karunarathnegama,Rambukkana.Tel : 035-2265168

Mayurapura Grama SanwardhanaSamithiyaHulandawa,Monaragala.Tel : 055-2276674

Arunalu Community DevelopmentFoundation30/4, Baddewela Road,Hambanthota.Tel : 047-2240371, 0777-445737

Integrated Development Association20, Hanthana,Kandy.Tel : 081-2232007

Environment and Children RightsPrivantionPussallawa,Patakaduwa.Tel : 077-3044221

Building partnerships and celebration ofEnvironment Day 2004

To limit degradation of land through measures toarrest land slids in selected spots in ElapathaDs Devision.

Conservation and Propagation of threatenedBanana species through tissue culture.

Rehabilitation of land and river banks withheavy degradation due to Gem mining

Ext. to SRL/03/04 - conservation of Nagodaforest

Conservation of improved brick making andfiring technologies and kiln improvement tocontribute towards biodiversity and reduceclimate change.

Conservation of the buffer zone area ofBatadombalena forest and forest and cave

CompletedApril 2004 - June2004

On goingApril 2004 -April 2005

On goingMay 2004 -Dec. 2006

On goingApril 2004 -April 2005

On goingMay 2004 -Nov. 2004

On goingJuly 2004 -July 2005

On goingJuly 2004 -July 2005


GEF-SGP��

�

��

��

Three-fourths of the human body is made up of waterand two-thirds of the planet is covered with it. From wateremerged life and it continues to support all living beingswithout exception. Scarcity or lack of water suitable forconsumption is a major problem threatening our veryexistence.

Of all the water available in the world, 97.5 percent issa l ine, leav ing only 2.5 percent su i tab le forconsumption. Much of this is frozen solid in the PolarRegions and is inaccessible. Many people all overthe world suffer due to acute scarcity of water, andqui te a few succumb to d iseases re la ted toconsumption of poor quality water.

In Sri Lanka, development efforts conducted withoutproper planning have depleted many a water resource,and during past 10 years we have begun to face theconsequences of this short-sightedness. Water hasbecome scarce in many localities.

The photo we have selected today shows a shallow dugwell in the coastal area of Batticaloa used to supply waterfor a village. Finding enough potable water is an acuteproblem to villagers in the area during a major part of theyear. The question we pose today is ‘Does thisforeshadow the bleak future we face in a country with 103rivers flowing into the sea?’

This publication by Mithuru Mithuro coversa variety of information about the network oforganizations making up the forum and theiractivities. Current topics of interest andactivities needed for building a healthy societyare among items covered in this journal. Thiseight-page journal devotes much space toaccommodate poems and other creativewriting by its membership.

��

Mithuru Mithuro MovementRilhena, Palmadulla.Tel : 045-227557/ 2274363/ 2274546Fax : 045-2274363E-mail : [email protected]

Rehena, published by the Energy Forum, isa journal devoted exclusively to the cause ofenergy conservation and related issues.Published in Sinhala once every threemonths, Rehena contains latest informationon various aspects of activities conductedby the Energy Forum and relatedorganizations in the sphere of energyconservation. It raises many current issues

pertaining to energy conservations priorities, national policies andstrategies for tackling the energy crisis in the country. Packed withimportant material contained in 12 pages of text and pictures, Rehenacompels us to look at energy conservation issues in an unbiasedmanner.

From:Editor / CoordinatorGEF-SGP Environmental NewsSri Lanka Environment Exploration Society ,No. 504, Kandy Road,Meepitiya, Kegalle,Sri Lanka.

��

To:

��

Inquiries Concerning this journal :Energy Forum239, High Level Rd, Kirulapane, Colombo 05.Tel : 011-2852167, 011-5524613Fax : 011-2852167E-mail : [email protected] site : www.energyforum.slt.lk

PERIODICALS PUBLISHED BY GEF/ SGPPARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Dr. B.M.K. Perera - gefsgpsl.orggefsgpsl.org/NewsPaper/Environmental News 3 volume 2 Issue...

Documents

Transcript of Dr. B.M.K. Perera - gefsgpsl.orggefsgpsl.org/NewsPaper/Environmental News 3 volume 2 Issue...