deforestation in sri lanka essay

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Fighting Deforestation in Sri Lanka

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Can Sri Lanka live up to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s environmental commitments?

The focus on Sri Lanka’s deforestation and the conservation of forests this year can be traced back to widespread discussions about deforestation in Wilpattu National Park back in 2019. Deforestation in Wanathawillu, Anawilundawa and Sinharaja has been the recent focus of discussion. However, reports of more deforestation and illegal commercial or developmental projects have been reported from many parts of the country. Since then, the topic has become affiliated with politics and certain political figures. The blame game has advanced amid the lack of political authority.

The forest cover of Sri Lanka in 2019 was reported to be 16.5 percent , down from 29.7 percent in 2017 . According to Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam, in 1882, the country’s forest density was around 82 percent. Between 1990 and 2000, Sri Lanka lost an average of 26,800 hectares of forest per year, which amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.14 percent. In total, between 1990 and 2005 alone, Sri Lanka lost 17.7 percent of its forest cover.

Controversial Legal Moves

Recently, environmentalists have taken issue with the Sri Lankan cabinet’s recently announced plan to revoke Circular No. 5/2001, which protests the country’s Other State Forests (OSFs), and transfer jurisdiction for these protected areas from the Forest Department to the authorities at the divisional and district levels. Amid the public uproar, further discussions are to be held, with the cabinet instructed to form a committee to investigate the potential negative impacts of the move, and to gather feedback.

According to RMCM Herath, Sri Lanka’s land commissioner general, the “ circular will not be revoked immediately . It will happen step by step. The Forest Department, the Wildlife Conservation Department, the Land Commissioner’s Department, the Land Policy and Planning Department, the Land Survey Department, the Land Reforms Commission and other relevant authorities will together consider the best way forward.”

While the formation of a committee is exemplary, “the step by step” approach to revoking the measure makes it urgent for environmentalists and other stakeholders to analytically observe the committee’s recommendations and decisions. The circular safeguards around 500,000 hectares of OSFs that are not otherwise protected . As these forests are used by animals, especially elephants, as migratory corridors, their segregation into agricultural lands might lead to increased elephant-human conflict, thus again adversely affecting the economy and livelihoods of communities living in the area.

Also sparking debate were provisions made under the Extraordinary Gazette 2192/36 of September 10, in which the government planned to issue legal documents confirming ownership to eligible claimants who have occupied state lands, for agricultural or any development activity, without possessing formal documents. Coupled with the attempts to revoke Circular No. 5/2001, the protection of OSFs appears to be in danger. On a positive note, the Extraordinary Gazette allowing persons to occupy state lands has been cancelled amid complaints that the gazette promoted people to illegally take over lands, hoping for the granting of official land deeds. However, the damage caused to forest patches during the few days the Gazette was in force has not yet been calculated.

The Politics of Forest Protection

The current government has committed to increase Sri Lanka’s national forest cover by 30 percent during its term in office. Under the “Vistas of Splendor” plan, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emphasized the need for a sustainable environmental policy and emphasized the need for sustainable development.

The ongoing deforestation in Sri Lanka needs to be tackled and mitigated if the country is to reach the 30 percent target. Given such a goal, news of the deforestation of protected areas is a nightmare for conservationists and environmentalists. The construction of the Neluwa-Lankagama-Deniyaya Road, along with deforestation in Anawilundawa in order to establish a prawn farm, caught the attention of social media and several interest groups. Furthermore, the involvement of a few newly elected parliamentarians was reported, creating an uproar from the public. Investigations are underway.

The issue has caught the president’s attentions as well, and Rajapaksa reiterated that development has to take place without harm to the environment. However, the diffusion of the president’s aims and vision to the relevant political authorities and bureaucratic authorities seems questionable, amid incidents of deforestation and increased human activity. Development projects within forest areas have failed to produce environmental assessments, and make little effort to steer clear of illegal intrusion.

Election promises, a lack of political authority and a lack of sustainable strategies have led to the blind advancement of unsustainable development projects. This needs to be evaluated and altered accordingly, through a process in which each point of authority will be held responsible from the political level to the bureaucratic level.

The Need to Promote Sustainable Development

Rajapaksa, addressing members of the Viyathmaga network of professionals and academics last month, once again emphasized the importance of a development that safeguards the environment. He underscored the necessity of sound policies to support that vision. To that end, we can incorporate Professor Mohan Munasinghe’s theory of Sustainomics , where sustainable development requires balanced and integrated analysis from three main perspectives: social, economic and environmental. In pursuing economic growth, equal attention should be paid to the social and environment aspects as well. If any of these three pillars is given unequal attention, development will be asymmetrical.

Sri Lanka needs sound policies in which present resources can be used to their maximum extent rather than clearing forests to open up new land. For example, the need for more agricultural land is a fallacy, Hemantha Withanage, executive director of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), insists. The country has no shortage of farmland. “It doesn’t take a genius to see there is so much that is fit for farming that is not being used properly,” he said in a recent interview . Withanage further explained that the majority of farmers are no longer engaged in chena cultivation (also known as shifting agriculture), because it hasn’t proved to be profitable.

“They have no transport systems, storage or sales,” Withanage said. “What’s the point giving them more land with no systems to deal with the harvest? What we lack isn’t land. We lack infrastructure.”

Public Responsibility

Civic awareness, knowledge and progressive attitudes are all imperative for combating climate change. Global leaders have come together to control rising global heat and even the children in many countries have spoken up, actively participating in the fight against climate change. Some of the irrational arguments and statements of citizens that have been popularized recently in Sri Lanka’s mainstream media suggest an attitudinal gap as well as of a lack of knowledge about the significance of forest conservation and management. In search of economic prosperity, the majority of Sri Lankans seem willing to give a green light to the over-utilization of environmental resources.

However, Rajapaksa has repeatedly affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to eco-responsibility. “The ancient governance of Sri Lanka was built on the concept that the ruler is never the owner of the land; he is merely its caretaker on behalf of his countrymen and all living beings,” Rajapaksa told the Plenary of the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity on September 30. His pledge to act as a trustee of the planet and its resources for future generations comes at a vital time, as climate action and sustainability needs to be the foundation of governance across nations.

Reflecting the president’s pledge, Sri Lanka must aspire to align its development framework with sustainability goals, while simultaneously encouraging civic sentiments that are supportive of environmental conservation.

Savithri Sellapperumage is an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL), a national think tank under the Ministry of Defense. The opinion expressed is her own and not necessarily reflective of the institute.

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Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss in Sri Lanka's Rainforests: A Critical Analysis of Consequences and Implications

by Nalin Samaranayake

Published on The Morning on 12th September 2023.

Introduction

The rainforests of Sri Lanka, predominantly situated in the southwestern and central areas of the nation, have been widely acknowledged as significant hubs of global biodiversity. Nevertheless, the processes of urbanisation, expansion of agriculture, and forestry operations have resulted in substantial deforestation, posing a severe danger to the fragile equilibrium of these ecosystems. The primary objective of this paper is to analyse the impacts of deforestation on the rainforests of Sri Lanka, with a specific focus on the resulting consequences for biodiversity loss and environmental security.

The Determinants of Deforestation

Deforestation in the rainforests of Sri Lanka is influenced by a multitude of factors. The encroachment of land for agricultural purposes, particularly for the establishment of tea and rubber plantations, presents a significant peril to the natural ecosystem. Furthermore, the detrimental practice of illegal logging, aimed at procuring valuable timber and fuelwood, serves to expedite the process of habitat destruction. Urbanisation and the implementation of infrastructure development projects can result in the fragmentation of habitats and the disturbance of wildlife corridors.

Effects on Flora and Fauna

The loss of rainforest habitat in Sri Lanka has profound implications for the diverse flora and fauna of the island nation. With its unique geographical location and rich biodiversity, Sri Lanka's rainforests are home to over 3,000 species of flowering plants, including numerous endemic and endangered species. These lush forests provide vital habitat for a wide range of fauna, including 120 species of mammals, 435 species of birds, 242 species of butterflies, and countless other insects. However, the alarming rate of deforestation poses a significant threat to these precious creatures and their delicate ecosystems.

The Sri Lankan leopard, a critically endangered species, has been steadily declining due to habitat loss caused by rampant deforestation. The purple-faced langur, another vulnerable species, is found exclusively in Sri Lanka's rainforests. Habitat fragmentation, which breaks up large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, has become a significant threat to biodiversity worldwide. This phenomenon disrupts the natural connectivity between habitats, leading to the isolation of populations and a subsequent reduction in genetic diversity.

Deforestation has become alarmingly prevalent, affecting various ecosystems across the globe. For example, in the Amazon rainforest, large-scale deforestation has resulted in the fragmentation of once-vast forested areas. In North America, the disruption of ecosystems can have far-reaching consequences for the delicate balance of predator-prey relationships and the intricate web of plant-animal interactions.

In a disrupted ecosystem, the decline of a predator species can result in an unchecked increase in prey populations, leading to overgrazing or overconsumption of resources, putting immense pressure on the ecosystem's vegetation, and potentially causing habitat degradation. Conversely, the loss of a prey species due to disruption can have cascading effects on predator populations, causing them to struggle without an adequate food source.

Biodiversity Loss and Environmental Security

The alarming phenomenon of biodiversity loss in rainforests poses a grave threat not only to the survival of individual species but also to the delicate balance and stability of entire ecosystems. The intricate web of life within these lush and diverse habitats is being disrupted at an alarming rate, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the boundaries of the rainforest itself. Rainforests are renowned for their unparalleled biodiversity, housing an estimated 50% of the world's plant and animal species despite covering only 6% of the Earth's land surface. However, this astonishing richness is now under severe threat. According to recent studies, rainforest ecosystems are experiencing a staggering rate of species extinction, estimated to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural background extinction rate. The loss of individual species within rainforests is not an isolated event; it has Rainforests, with their lush and diverse vegetation, play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our planet's ecosystem. One of the most significant services they provide is carbon sequestration, which refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rainforests are exceptional at this, as they absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Rainforests are estimated to store approximately 25% of the world's carbon, despite covering only 6% of the Earth's land surface.

This incredible capacity to sequester carbon makes the detrimental consequences resulting from the loss of these crucial services far-reaching and have profound implications for Sri Lanka's environmental security. Climate patterns, which play a pivotal role in determining weather conditions and long-term climate trends, are significantly affected by the absence of these services. This disruption can lead to erratic weather patterns, such as an increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like storms, droughts, and floods.

Furthermore, the availability of water, a vital resource for various sectors including agriculture, industry, and domestic use, is severely impacted by the loss of these services. Sri Lanka heavily relies on water resources for irrigation purposes, and any disruption in the natural water cycle can have dire consequences for agricultural productivity. Reduced water availability can lead to crop failures, decreased yields, and even food shortages, exacerbating food security concerns in the country. The overall environmental security of Sri Lanka is intricately linked to the health and functioning of these services.

Conservation Efforts and Sustainable Solutions

Sri Lanka's government has taken a proactive approach to combating deforestation and biodiversity loss, focusing on preserving its natural resources and safeguarding its rich biodiversity. By implementing strict regulations and policies, the country has reduced deforestation rates by 50% between 2000 and 2020. This achievement can be attributed to the government's commitment to enforcing strict penalties for illegal logging activities.

To safeguard rainforest ecosystems, the government has established numerous protected areas and national parks, with a significant portion dedicated to rainforests. These areas serve as sanctuaries for flora and fauna, ensuring their long-term survival and promoting biodiversity preservation. Reforestation projects, which involve planting trees in degraded areas, aim to restore ecological balance and engage local communities in sustainable management practices. Deforestation has a devastating impact on the planet, with an estimated 18.7 million acres of forest lost each year. Reforestation projects help restore natural habitats for species, promote biodiversity, and create a healthier ecosystem. Trees also act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide.

Eco-tourism can also generate economic incentives for rainforest preservation by attracting tourists interested in experiencing the diverse ecosystems. The economic impact of eco-tourism on rainforest preservation cannot be understated.

Deforestation and habitat destruction in Sri Lanka's rainforests pose a significant threat to the country's rich biodiversity, which includes a diverse range of ecosystems and unique flora and fauna. These forests provide habitat for rare and endangered species, such as the Sri Lankan leopard, purple-faced langur, and Sri Lankan frogmouth. The consequences of these actions extend beyond ecological impacts, impacting the environmental security and overall well-being of the nation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that around 25% of plant and animal species are at risk of extinction due to human activities.

Deforestation not only leads to the loss of habitats for countless species but also significantly contributes to climate change, as trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that an estimated 10 million hectares of forest are lost each year, equivalent to an area roughly the size of Iceland. This rapid deforestation has destroyed approximately 80% of the Earth's original forests. Preserving the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka's rainforests is of utmost importance, as it not only serves as an ecological imperative but also plays a vital role in securing a sustainable future for generations to come.

Link to the original source : Click here

* Lieutenant Colonel Nalin Samaranayake is a Military Research Officer at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on National Security established under the Ministry of Defence. The opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily reflective of the institute or the Ministry of Defence.

Forest Restoration: Where Does Sri Lanka Stand?

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21 March was declared as the International Day of Forests in 2012 by the United Nations to raise awareness on the importance of forests for human survival and well-being.

This year, the International Day of Forests is marked under the apt theme “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”. Forest restoration is one of the priority areas for mitigating the effects of climate change. Restoration and sustainable management of forests will help absorb atmospheric pollutants, re-build natural habitats and sustain life on earth. This blog discusses Sri Lanka’s declining forest cover and offers suggestions on how the drivers of deforestation can be countered.

Sri Lanka’s Declining Forest Cover

Sri Lanka is endowed with a diverse range of forest ecosystems thanks to different topographic, climatic and soil conditions. Dry monsoon forests, lowland rain forests, moist monsoon forests, montane forests, riverine dry forests, savanna and mangrove forests are the major types of forests found in the country.

However, recent technical reports and mainstream media reports both signal a rapid increase in deforestation and degradation of forests in Sri Lanka. An estimated 70% of the island was covered with forests at the beginning of the 19 th century, which has since reduced to 29.7% (1.95 million hectares) in 2017. Figures from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) suggest that in 2020, the forest cover has further reduced to 28.39% (1.86 million hectares) of the entire land area (Figure 1).

An estimated -3.16% change in forest area has been observed during the period from 2015-2020 . Primary forests are the most affected forest types. In 1999, the island had been covered by 257, 000 hectares of primary forests whereas in 2020, only 167,000 hectares remained. A new study conducted by Rathnayake, J. and Soto-Berelov (2020) which employs satellite data analysis confirms the disturbances to the protected areas (see Figure 2). Red dots on the protected areas provide evidence of deforestation taking place within the protected areas.

Drivers of Deforestation

A detailed account of the drivers of deforestation in Sri Lanka is published in a report under the UN-REDD programme in 2015. The report identifies the catalysts of deforestation from past, present and future perspectives. Most of the drivers are socio-economic in nature.

In the current context, land encroachment, development projects and expansion of private agricultural ventures are the main proximate drivers of deforestation . People encroach protected areas for agricultural and mining activities. With population growth, local demand for land and field crops as well as global demand for export crops and aquaculture products (shrimps etc.) rise. Hence, people who are pressurised by these drivers along with severe land scarcity, encroach into protected areas.

On the other hand, government policy objectives to increase local agricultural production and reduce agricultural imports such as sugar and milk also lead to an expansion of agricultural ventures. Besides, demand for precious stones like gems accelerates the degradation of forests through encroachment for mining activities. Infrastructure development is another driver of deforestation and degradation of forests.

Examples are projects on urban development, resettlements, tourism, livelihood development, infrastructure development like roads, highways and airports and voltage transmission lines. Moreover, local demand for timber from both households and industry contributes to the illicit felling of trees.

The Way Forward

Strengthening Environmental Safeguard Measures

The incoherence in existing policies on forest conservation along with new initiatives to expand agricultural production or other development projects can encourage encroachments and deforestation. For instance, in 2020, Sri Lanka cancelled three circulars that protected 700,000 hectares of forests recognised as other state forests.

These areas are not classified as protected areas, yet account for 5% of the remaining forest cover. At present, protected areas are being managed by two agencies with limited integration―the Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation with different official mandates, yet required to combine efforts to protect forest areas and their biodiversity. Therefore, the government should take necessary action to strengthen environmental safeguards associated with development programmes and carry out monitoring activities.

Awareness Creation

Awareness creation can be an effective initiative with long-lasting impacts on forest restoration and conservation. On many occasions, people do not recognise the importance of multiple ecosystem services offered by protected areas and push for harnessing short-term economic benefits alone. Thus, greater awareness initiated by both private and public entities would ensure a sustainable use of forest lands through restoration and reduced disturbances.

Participatory Approach

Public, private and community partnerships are essential for sustainably managing protected areas. Private ventures can adhere to minimal deforestation policies or implement offset policies such as replanting. Communities can initiate partnerships with public and private authorities to carry out replanting programmes. Such programmes can be further developed as social ventures like the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA) , a non-profit social venture in Haiti, which planted five million trees to offset the severe deforestation rates in the country.

Reforestation

Replanting endangered and endogenous species in degraded natural forests and private lands would support the reforestation efforts.

Promote Substitutes for Timber

Substitutes for timber such as aluminium, steel and processed wood from sources like bamboo should be promoted. However, these substitutes should not harm the environment.

Innovative Agriculture

Development of agroforestry models, increased tree cover of non-forest lands and sustainable management of plantations would minimise the pressure on forest lands. These interventions would ensure the sustainable utilisation of forest ecosystems supporting the reforestation efforts as well.

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Role of forests in Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Pandemic Recovery in Sri Lanka

Chiyo Kanda, World Bank’s Country Manager for Maldives and Sri Lanka At a high-level virtual event to announce Sri Lanka’s Forest Sector Master Plan: Adopting New Sectoral Priorities to Face the Challenging Decade Ahead Sri Lanka

As Prepared for Delivery

Good morning.

Mr. Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation, Mr. Palitha Fernando, State Secretary of the State Ministry of Wildlife Protection, Adaptation of Safety Measures (including the Construction of Electric Fences and Trenches and Restoration and Forest Resource Development), distinguished speakers and panel members, ladies and gentlemen.

First, on behalf of the World Bank, I would like to express our sympathy to those impacted by the ongoing pandemic. We will continue to try our best to support the Government of Sri Lanka in protecting people’s lives and fostering inclusive recovery and growth.

Next, I would like to thank the organizers, the Forest Department and the Eco-Systems Conservation and Management Project (ESCAMP), for organizing this event to announce preparation of the 2021-2030 Forest Sector Master Plan. We are pleased to partner with that Government of Sri Lanka in developing a masterplan that would give new strategic directions to benefit Sri Lanka.

Let me now turn to why we think this is important at this juncture of Sri Lanka’s history where the country is exploring ways to rise above the pandemic, support its poor and sustain economic growth while protecting the environment.

COVID-19 hit hard across the globe, especially the poor and vulnerable. Years of efforts of poverty reduction and shared prosperity have suffered their worst setback in decades. We understand that exceptional and urgent national and global actions must tackle these combined negative impacts while countries are adapting to post-pandemic realities.

The World Bank Group announced an approach in April 2021 to find new solutions to address poverty, inequality and climate change in our member countries. The approach calls for policies and programs that are sustainable, take a broad-based approach to economic growth without harming the environment or leaving people behind in poverty. We call this Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development or GRID .

Adopting an integrated GRID approach allows us an opportunity to support green, resilient, and inclusive recovery that tackles rising poverty and deepening inequality while addressing both the immediate devastation wrought by COVID-19 and the longer-term challenge of Climate Change.

It is indeed heartening to see the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to take a balanced approach to recovery and development. As we heard from the earlier speakers, this forest sector masterplan will build on over 30 years of experience and lessons learnt from the previous plans. It is expected to include new paradigms in managing Sri Lanka’s forests, better conserving and restoring forest landscapes and enhancing human well-being, serving the needs of the economy.

Forests of Sri Lanka are unique and globally recognized and valued. They not only provide timber and non-timber resources for mostly rural population but also support agriculture and farming, provide and regulate water, protect soils and coastal line, businesses and people from erosion and natural disasters.

Economically, the gross value added generated by the production of major wood and wood products included in the national accounts was LKR 212.8 billion in 2019, which is more than US$ 1 billion. But if we look at various natural capital and ecosystem services provided by Sri Lanka’s forests, it is BIG and estimated at US$ 5.6 billion. We also understand that several million people live near and inside the forest in Sri Lanka and use its resources directly or indirectly.

World Bank understands the important role of forests in supporting the rural poor and Sri Lanka’s economy, and we fully support development of this new strategy. The ongoing US$ 35 million ESCAMP has been supporting the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation. We are going to work hand in hand with the Forest Department and other stakeholders in strategizing and developing sustainable strategies and investment plans for the sector.

Developing an effective, realistic master plan and building a consensus around it is critical for the country’s development, because restoration and sustainable, multiple use of the country’s forests bring benefits not only to those who directly use or live around forests, but also to the whole economy.

Benefits of the masterplan’s strategies and activities will extend to many sectors and economic activities—such as climate-smart agriculture, nature-based tourism, and health sector among others.

Finally, let me conclude by commending the Government’s efforts to undertake extensive consultations throughout the process, and engage multiple stakeholders such as forestry sector experts, foresters, multi-disciplinary professionals, government institutions, civil society organisations, private sector organisations, and the media to develop the 2021-2030 Forest Sector Master Plan.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you all the best in the preparation process and look forward to receiving the Master Plan.

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Impact of Development on deforestation in Sri Lanka: An analytical study

The research based on deforestation of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan government has being published 2011- 2030 National physical plane policy (National physical plane, 2002). The government is conducting developments base on national physical plane. This research paper is concerned about the developments are conducting and those effects in destruction of Forest cover in the country.

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As one of the most important biodiversity hotspot, forest and natural vegetation areas play an essential role in the global ecosystem. It provides an uncountable number of ecosystem services while controlling the adverse impacts of climatic changes. With the expansion of civilization and fulfilling the infinite needs of man, forests and natural vegetation areas were destroyed, especially for agricultural purposes, development projects and timber. Due to this, the accelerated growth of deforestation and loss of natural vegetation can be observed in Sri Lanka in the past few decades. This study aimed to identify the forest and natural vegetation area loss from 2000 to 2020 with a particular focus on the Canopy Density (CD) of tree cover (>25%, >50% and >75%) in Sri Lanka. The satellite estimated data (30m x 30m resolution) was downloaded from the 2000 to 2020 time period from the Global Forest Watch (GFW) online platform conducted by the World Resource Institute were used. Spatial and temporal changing patterns of the forest and natural vegetation areas have been identified using descriptive analysis methods (percentage) using MS Excel 2019 software. Results of the study found that in 2000, 61.38 percent of the country was covered with above 25% tree cover CD, while 53.86 percent and 39.76 percent of areas have covered with the tree cover CD above 50% and 75%, respectively. However, when it has come to 2020, these areas have decreased by 52.78 percent (>25% CD), 44.27 percent (>50% CD) and 28.65 percent (>75% CD). During this period, 8.6 percent (>25% CD), 9.59 percent (>50% CD) and 11.11 percent (>75% CD) of the forest and natural vegetation areas of Sri Lanka have lost the country. Throughout this period, 2016 can be identified as a year at risk for deforestation due to its annual deforestation rate (>8.8 percent). The total area of forest cover lost in 2016 is 17799ha (>25% CD), 15583ha (>50% CD) and 9865ha (>75% CD). This is nearly 13 percent of forest cover loss for all three types of CD tree cover areas. According to the calculations of the forest areas that have >75% of CD, Anuradhapura (12.06%), Kurunegala (9.82 %), and Monaragala (8.49 %) districts are the areas that contributed to forest cover loss in the country during 2000 to 2020. According to the study, the annual deforestation rate is still very high. Hence should be needed to monitor and take action to stop deforestation and achieve sustainability in natural resource management in Sri Lanka.

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The establishment of forest rules and regulations goes back to the King Dutugamunu period of +0+ to +-1 B.C. Generally, the community managed their forest resources with great care, while protecting the natural balance of the ecosystem. A drastic change in land use policy after foreign invasion resulted in denudation of the natural forest. The forest reserve of nearly 2* percent in +220 was reduced to 1* percent in +3**, .. percent in +3/0, and is nearly ,/ percent at present. Opening up of plantation crops, expansion of agriculture, land settlements, rising incomes, and changing life styles have caused over-exploitation of the forest. The policy measures that were taken time-to-time attempted to solve problems and improve the forest resources through sustainable management strategies. This paper attempts to discuss the trends of forest policy in terms of the historical perspective, implementation strategies, and institutional development. The first forest policy in Sri Lanka was en...

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Sri Lanka is presently faced with challenges of environment conservation such as deforestation, freshwater pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, soil erosion, wildlife poaching, coastal degradation, mangrove reduction, unsustainable development and bio piracy. Other problems are Land grabbing, water and jungle privatizations , piracy of indigenous knowledge etc. The aim of this research is to understand the environment issues in Sri Lanka and find out the solutions to protect nature. The researchers used the literature review as a secondary data collection method. Books, research papers and environment journals were used by researchers as a secondary data sources. Field visits and observations were conducted to collect primary data " s in the field. This analytical study concerned environmental degradation and conservation issues in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is one of the highest bio diversity hot pot in the world .The open economic policies and the implementations of unsustainable developments have been accelerated environment degradation. Government has an history of late implementation of rules and regulations such as Flora and fauna act, Costal conservation act, National environment act. Government and people have fundamental knowledge and they know how to protect nature. Nowadays, Earth needs democracy: it can conserve all biotic and abiotic factors on Earth.

Herath Gunatilake

Matamyo Simwanda

Forest-cover change has become an important topic in global biodiversity conservation in recent decades because of the high rates of forest loss in different parts of the world, especially in the tropical region. While human interventions are the major cause, natural disasters also contribute to forest cover changes. During the past decades, several studies have been conducted to address different aspects of forest cover changes (e.g., drivers of deforestation, degradation, interventions) in different parts of the world. In Sri Lanka, increasing rates of forest loss have been recorded during the last 100 years on a regional basis, especially in the dry zone. However, Sri Lanka needs detailed studies that employ contemporary data and robust analytical tools to understand the patterns of forest cover changes and their drivers. The dry zone of Sri Lanka encompasses 59% of the total land area of the country, ergo, the most extensive forest cover. Our study analyzed forest cover dynamics...

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology IJSRSET

Deforestation is major threat that affects the environment in the world. The deforestation make so many bad impact on the earth, this may lead to the end of life in earth. There are some causes behind the deforestation. Here in this study it deals with impacts and causes of deforestation.

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The Deforestation In Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve & Environment Law In Sri Lanka

By Umesha Satharasinghe , Methmi Perera and Upuli Amarasinghe –

The concentration on the deforestation and the conservation of forests in Sri Lanka can reflect to an extensive forum regarding the several deforestation activities which reported from time to time from several parts of country. In this research, it has mainly focusing on the deforestation in Sinharaja. As a last viable area of the country, Sinharaja can be considered as the vamoosing leftover of tropical wet zone evergreen forest with more than 60% endemic species in Sri Lanka which became a world heritage recorded in UNESCO. Though this foresting area managed and directed under the authority of the Ministry of Lands and Land Development and under various number of rules and regulations and principles but still the issue of deforestation has not solved. Investigations and exposed encroachments, land mining, gem mining, illegal cultivation processes and firing inside Sinharaja area has become common sight nowadays. Development takeover outdoors the land indirectly strikes the area through development of roads which posteriorly exposed entering routes into the forest area and ease up illegal logging and removal of the resources with illegal mining also masquerading imminences. Against such a backdrop many projects are underway by opening a blind eye to the prevailing environmental crisis. Throughout the research it aims to educate the value of a World Heritage Sinharaja Forest Reserve and inform about the loopholes in Sri Lankan Environmental Law.

Introduction

The deforestation can be pointed out as a global threat these days. This process refers to the diminish the forest areas across the world. This greatly expeditated by human activities since 1960. In the current Sri Lankan situation of the deforestation according to the statistics forest cover 16.5% in 2019 down form in 29.7%. In the past Sri Lanka is a country with zones of high biodiversity. Sri Lanka is one of the 34 recognized biodiversity hotspots in the world and has the highest biodiversity per unit area of any Asian country. In local situation we can recognize the forests like, Sinharaja, Wnathawilluwa, Anathawilluwa, Muthurajawela, Wilpattu etc.

The deforestation of current local hot topic is regarding the Sinharaja forest reserve. This is a primary tropical rain forest, more than 60% of the trees are regional and many of them are rare. It is a home to 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of animals. This Sinharaja rain forest was designated a world heritage in 1988. The current threat of deforestation is hotel projects inside the Sinharaja rain forest. And the major problem is despite the efforts of the human community to express their views and because of that right to freedom of expression is being revoked. This proves environmental laws and human rights law are not enforceable in present. To some extent to prevent this problem we hope to educate the relevant authorities the value of forest reservations in Sri Lanka and to inform about the areas where environmental law in Sri Lanka needs to be improve . It is benefited for the entire human community and for the environmental object.

Background To The Study

The Sinharaja Rainforest reserve is considered as a World Heritage by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), currently it is about being called as a Heritage destruction which is done in a way more connected with a political myopia. But there is a possibility to stop the huge desertification of the most gigantic rainforest in Sri Lanka. The major issue that caused at first is that the investigation finds that the authorities are unaware of the deforestation of the boundaries in the Sinharaja which is in the year of 2016, it has been five years and the contemporary situation records that The Department of Wildlife Conservation has decided to acquire privately-owned lands with forest cover, surrounding the Sinharaja Forest Reserve to the government. According to the spokesperson of the Department of Wildlife Conservation it is figured that 400 hectares have been taken into privately owned lands with the forest cover around the reserve. And regarding the findings related to the issue it is found that the Wildlife Conservation has no provisions to prevent the deforestation under the forest Ordinance. In every way it was mentioned by the different authorities that the safety of the World Heritage will be ensured. Is it true? The study is based on the fact whether the safety of the Sinharaja rainforest has been taken into consideration or the myopia is continuing. The topic of deforestation of Sinharaja has been under discussion throughout the years, it is quite disappointing to know that still the administration as well the public officers who are under the examination of the issue are not been able to figure the right laws to protect the mother nature.

What is deforestation? The term deforestation has different definitions given by various scholars and institutions but simply deforestation can be identified as forests which were chopped down and burned and then clear the land by dozing. If this issue elaborated in Sri Lanka, as one of the biodiversity hot spot and at the same time home to the large number of endemic species and natural beauty become more prior than other states. Specially this research conduct regarding the deforestation in Sinharaja rainforest. As mega development projects such as highway constructions, mega city and other sustainable development projects cut down many trees and clear foresting areas from land of Sri Lanka. Generally, over centuries Sinharaja rainforest have been utilized by inhabitants at the peripheral subsistence. The process of forest utilization is increasing rapidly in Sinharaja forest coverage area threatening the existence of tropical lives. Focuses on both spatial and temporal aspects of forest resource utilization, trends in forest resource utilization, policy interventions in forest management and its impact on forest resource utilization by the peripheral communities of Sinharaja. This forest coverage of Sinharaja is confronting different degrees of threats due to human disturbances including habitat destruction due to cardamom and tea cultivation, the land degradation because of illegal gem mining, extraction of forest resources, illicit timber felling, collection of non woody products, setting fire to the forest and grasslands and the excessive usage of pesticides in plantations. Therefore, it is assumed that the population size of these endemic species is extremely low. In relation to age, it is noticed that the young generation is less interested in forest resource. utilization than the middle-aged group. Additionally, the timely changes in policy interventions in forest resource utilization focus on community-based forest management. All these measures should be practical and well organized. Policy interventions for this still seem ineffective and impractical. Therefore, immediate conservation actions are recommended. Specific attention must be paid over restoration of regarded areas with native fast growing forest species and establishment of habitat corridors to bridge the neighboring forest patches to yield space and resources to sustain the minimum viable populations.

Sinharaja rainforest reserve could get negatively affected to its Outstanding Universal Value of the Property, even though the road development was under temporary suspension by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, according to the contemporary situation it is recorded that there are different kinds of activities taking place in deserting the gigantic rainforest Sinharaja. According to the 1972 Convention of concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage also known as the World Heritage Convention where each party identifies that “the duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation, and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage… situated on its territory, belongs primarily to the state” which is certainly clear that each state party must ensure that “operative and active measures are taken” which can be found in the Article 4 and 5 of the World Heritage Convention.

After receiving the aforementioned information, the World Heritage Centre transmitted it to the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO for verification, in accordance with Paragraph 174 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The World Heritage Centre is awaiting feedback from the Sri Lankan authorities.

About it the Operational guidelines also specify the Environmental Impact Assessments, Assessments which must be carried out for the development projects planned within the World Heritage Property in this case according to the situation in Sri Lanka, the spokesperson of the Department of Wildlife Conservation mentions that activities which are done regarding the development projects are done by ensuring the protection of the World Heritage Land. Thus, it makes doubtful to identify whether the authorities are having a blind eye towards the issue of deserting the Sinharaja Rainforest or there is a powerful barrier which clearly defend them to raise their voices towards this issue. EIA as well as Heritage Impact Assessments or the Strategic Environmental Assessments are the clear out observation assessments carried out prior to any development project done and, in a condition, where the World sees the deforestation of Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve but not the administrative bodies is quite a devastating news to know. these assessments are followed by the IUCN World Heritage Advice Note on Environmental Assessments and that it is always requested to the Sri Lankan authorities to submit these kinds of studies or assessments as a matter of emergency as a review of the ICUN, an Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee before any construction work is restarted.

Laws Operated In Sri Lanka Compared To Other Countries

It is well known fact that the 99.5% of the forests in Sri Lanka belongs to the State and the management as well as its protection is under the government ministries, the Forest Department fall into two categories,

1. The Forest Department

2. Department of Wildlife Conservation

Since the day Buddhism was brought down to Sri Lanka, people and the communities were aware that cutting down the trees to make it as timber will harm the lives of the future generations, the kings imposed various kinds of regulations to restrict cutting down of the forests whenever they like. In the Contemporary situation the Constitution has number of legislatures which identifies the deforestation of the forests as an offense. The environment protection is a duty, as it is recognized in the Chapter VI of the Constitution of 1978,

“directive principles of state policies and fundamental duties”

The Article 27(14) mentions that the duty of the state to protect, preserve and improve the environment as it benefits the community whereas the Article 28 imposes the duty on citizens, which means the public to protect the nature and conserve its riches.

It is recognized that over the years there have been attention on protecting the environment and imposing rules and regulations as the Environmental Act No 47 of 1980 as it provides enactment to any person who deems to pose threats to the environment. The Timber Ordinance No 24 for the purpose of protecting the reserves like Sinharaja rainforest reserve cab be identified over the past years. When compared with countries like Brazil, America, Australia can we accept that the laws operate in Sri Lanka are effective?

Even though Sri Lanka has various types of regulations, it is the duty of the administrative bodies to impose and regulate it, in countries like Brazil, measure taken to protect Amazon rainforest is by launching a project named, Amazon Region Protected Areas (ARPA), Brazil’s deforestation area was averaged 19,508 square kilometers (km2) per year during the decade of 1996-2005 and it dropped to 67% with 6451km2. With further analysis during the years, it was found that in the year 2015 Brazil’s global warming was nearly 1billion tons which was a huge challenge to Brazil. It is recognized that the Brazil’s National Institution cannot protect its World Heritage alone, which certainly mentions that a huge support from private enterprises and the public is essentially needed.

Taking USA as an example, In the United States, there are various types of laws and acts which supports in protecting the Endangered Species as well as the Wilderness, the acts like:

1. Endangered Species Act

2. The Wilderness Act

3. The Lacey Act and the Roadless Rule

Are used as regulations to support in protecting the forest resources and stop illegal activities done in the market. These are some of the significant Laws and Regulations in the US:

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – a Forest Service site with information about The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

National Forest Management Act (NFMA) – a Forest Service site with information about The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA).

Environmental Appeals and Litigation – a Forest Service site with information about agency land management planning and appeals.

United States Code, Title 16, Chapter 2 – National Forests – laws governing the establishment and administration of the National Forests. This is a link to Cornell Law Institute’s Legal Information Institute.

The Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 – policy and purpose of the National Forests to provide for multiple-use and sustained yield of products and services. This is a link to Cornell Law Institute’s Legal Information Institute.

And as laws against deforestation, in 2008 Congress passed amendments to the Lacey Act, a century-old law that combats trafficking in unlawful plants and wildlife, and thus closed the entire U.S. market to illegally sourced wood. If effectively implemented, the Lacey Act will: Reduce prohibited logging and its costly impacts.

Criticisms Against Deforestation

Sinharaja is Sri Lanka’s last relatively untouched remanent of tropical humid evergreen forest. This deforestation is bad news for the entire biodiversity, climate and for the environment as well as the release of greenhouse gases and it affected for the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. Mainly Sri Lanka is an agricultural country in ancient times. Mainly every Asian country depends on the agriculture and it is a huge threat from the deforestation. Forests are an important part of the water cycle and It causes high temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns then the climate became drier. because of these major issues there are so many criticisms against the deforestation in Sinharaja rain forest. And it mainly affects for the country’s economy, it is a reason to the increase of the import costs. Because agriculture sector can become decrease. Mainly about this current matter of this Sinharaja rain forest destruction environmentalists warn that the ongoing work is a greater harm to the rich biodiversity in the forest. And Sri Lanka is one of the many recognized biodiversity hotspots in the world. In additionally, Sri Lanka is gaining high income from the tourism industry. The Sinharaja is a center of a tourism industry. So that’s why we must protect Sinharaja forest as a Sri Lankan human community. Because this provides great service to the Sri Lankan economy. And we have to think about the future of our country as well. So, the question is these are such biological systems destructive simply because of narrow advantages? The question arises. And the main problem is whether the law is enforced in this country or not? To a small country like Sri Lanka the reason for the environmental degradation is the rich environmental beauty and biodiversity is a serious concern. As a human we have a right to argue that. But unfortunately, due to the lack of justifiable rights. However, directive principles recognized the importance of the environment and protection of the environment and the protection of the citizens of the country. But the problem is, it cannot be enforced in court. According to this context, the judicial review mechanism that overturns arbitrary decisions made by government officials have aided the absence of environmental protection provisions in the constitution of Sri Lanka. Because of this major issue according to our point of view we will requesting extensions in the laws to protect the world heritage of our country.

The study of deforestation of the rainforest reserve made it clear that the public has a vigilant knowledge on the prevailing situation whereas it gave the chance to educate the future generation as well as the students who are studying in the field of law to acknowledge the loopholes in the environmental law, it can be make clear from the fact that the issue is continuing year by year as the relevant authorities as well as the law is not practical enough to solve the matters, Main aim of conducting this research study to make the public aware and acknowledged on unconventional stances and to take all necessitous steps for combatting these issues of deforesting while taking necessary steps and initial steps to enact new rules and regulations. Also, to amend contemporary laws about the deforestation and conservation of foresting areas by making aware relevant authorities and political parties. It is more common in the society that younger generation is not very interested in utilization and conservation of forest resources. This needs to be change. Younger generation which includes university undergraduates as well as secondary educating students and active social workers from various organizations should get involved in this matter. Further, the timely changes in policy interventions in forest resource utilization are needed mainly focus on community-based forest management. It must be certain to that all these measures and actions should be practical and well organized. When considering the situation in Sri Lanka, it seems that policy interventions for this matter still seem ineffective and impractical. To eradicate this issue immediate conservation actions are recommended. Contemporary legal actions must be change for rigorous punishments against the deforestation issue. Cutting down trees and clear those forest coverage areas should be amended to extend to lifetime imprisonment or compensations which exclude some higher values. Otherwise as a responsible community this issue cannot be eradicate or stop from the state. Specific attention must be paid over statutes specially on related on this deforestation matter. Those contemporary rules should be badly needed for amending purposes. Present government should pay their attention on this matter very seriously as we all are facing bad consequences from this issue as one group. Besides from it, as a responsible community we all can restoration of regarded areas with native fast growing forest species and establishment of valuable environment protecting species. It would be a great support to the environment of the establishment of habitat corridors to bridge the neighboring forest patches to yield space and resources to sustain the minimum viable populations. In this research study with the usage of effective methodologies which used here be able to get some valuable responses from the targeted community. Results which came out from them would provide great support when those matters came out for an effective and practical situation. Additionally, with the support of several other areas relating to this matter had provided some precise attention and made it more distinguishing to get solutions to the deforestation issue.

References

1. Analysis on Deforestation and Environmental Law in Sri Lanka

http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/345/1754/038.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

2. “Policies Aimed At Reducing Deforestation”. Intergovernmental panel on climate change. N.p., 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2017.

3. “Protecting the Amazon for Life”. world wild life. Web. 13 Apr. 2017.

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/forests/solutions -to-deforestation/

4. S Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/aboutus/lawsandregs.shtml

5. Environmental Protection through Judicial Review: The Sri Lankan Experience

Sabaragamuwa University Journal Volume 17 Number 1 February 2019 pp 15-23 ISSN 1391-3166; eISSN 2386-2041 http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v17i1.7728

6. http://www.cea.lk/web/en/acts-regulations

7. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/405/

8. http://www.RainforestProtectors.org, 2020. Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka – Environment News. [Online]

9. Available at: https://rainforestprotectors.wordpress.com/tag/sri-lanka-deforestation/

10. Kariyawasam, R., n.d. Impact of Development on deforestation in Sri Lanka. Issue https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jestft/papers/vol8-issue7/Version-2/G08723539.pdf .

11. Sellapperumage, S., 2020. Fighting Deforestation in Sri Lanka. [Online]

12. Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/fighting-deforestation-in-sri-lanka/

13. Surasinghe, T. D., 2010. Diversity, Threats and Conservation of Herpetofauna in and around the Eastern Sinharaja. [Online]

14. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247915568_Diversity_Threats_and_Conservation_of_Herpetofauna_in_and_around_the_Eastern_Sinharaja

15. KUAMARA, H., n.d. THE POLICY INTERVENTIONS AND THE TRENDS IN FOREST UTILIZATION BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN “SINHARAJA”. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chaminda-Kumara-5/publication/312525908_THE_POLICY_INTERVENTIONS_AND_THE_TRENDS_IN_FOREST_UTILIZATION_BY_LOCAL_COMMUNITIES_IN_SINHARAJA/links/5880a8e892851c086bc9c40b/THE-POLICY-INTERVENTIONS-AND-THE-TRENDS-IN-FOREST-U .

*Authors are third Year LLB (Bachelor of Law) Undergraduates at General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University

A Resolution With Many Lessons For The Tamils

Hypocrisy of britain & class differences in human rights council voting, latest comments.

Sugandh / March 26, 2021

Ecocide in SriLanka is a long happening tragedy and will culminate in dire consequences. Now we have the Rajapaksas back at it to accelerate the tragedy! – The construction projects which the Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brothers have made possible in the Sinharaja forest is yet another prime example of utter incompetence, corruption and lawlessness in this country! – Here’s a very recent must see discussion by an impressive panel comprising of some of SL’s top environmentalists (scientists and lawyers); https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sgn_dSXkkq8

old codger / March 26, 2021

“Development takeover outdoors the land indirectly strikes the area through development of roads which posteriorly exposed entering routes into the forest area and ease up illegal logging and removal of the resources with illegal mining also masquerading imminences. “ My dear young authors, you ought not to use Google Translator without manually checking.

Sinhala_Man / March 28, 2021

Dear oc, . Your observation is justified. I hope that the three authors will give this some thought, and consult somebody.

old codger / March 28, 2021

S.M, I do hope that this is not an indication of the quality of teaching at the Kotelawala Defence University. If it is, we are in BIG trouble. It might also explain the behaviour of some uniformed bureaucrats.

Sinhala_Man / March 29, 2021

It probably is, but we’ve got to be careful not to say too much about these particular young people. They, too, are victims. . After completing their courses of study what will they be able to do? Will they be able to discuss an issue related to their discipline intelligently – and intelligibly? . They’re probably expecting posh jobs at the end of all this. . You’re just getting an indication of just how standards have plummeted. What do we do to the politicians and the senior administrators who have brought things to this pass. They’re the ones to blame.

Native Vedda / March 31, 2021

Sinhala_Man – While we are on Environmental issues I just want you to watch the following a new Tamil Rap with English Sub-Titles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYq7WapuDLU I find it refreshing, fun with a message, education with entertainment. – SJ may not approve it unless this is in red book.

Rajash / March 26, 2021

Hello authors Umesha Satharasinghe, Methmi Perera and Upali Amarasinghe –

what was missing in your research paper is the phrase “Sir Cular” you may research and write pages and pages of research paper. but just one Sir Circular will send your research paper to the dustbin

unless of course you guys wrote this for a Sir Cular?

SarathP / March 26, 2021

Today’s “Divaina” newspaper reports that 1610 jak tress were cut in the Kegalle area in January and February alone, and that 63,000 (yes, sixty three thousand) trees will be cut in the Monaragela area.

chiv / March 26, 2021

A newly made dirt road leading to acres of cleared land, is that going to be family,s vacation resort too. Just like the one completed in North KKS soon after war, and many other places. The apeman Ganasara went around accusing minorities of deforestation. Willpattu was again a Rajapaksa,s project which went wrong after relationship with cronies got soured.

Looks like 7 million or so Lankans handed over national assets to bunch of hard core dacoits to safeguard for them. Great job guys.

Raj-UK / March 27, 2021

We have ministers who believe food is more important than oxygen & air quality is immaterial, development happens at the expense of the environment, road networks & urbanisation are signs of development, more tourist resorts means prosperity, etc etc. To these ignorant politicians, the eco system, sustainability & unmanaged village expansion, are beyond their comprehension. At the current rate of deforestation & ‘development’ projects, SL will soon become a barren land with water shortages. In the Ukraine, a vast lake has dried up & turned into a lifeless desert because the water feeding the lake was used to irrigate a massive cotton plantation by the communist regime, which, a decade later, became a ecological disaster, even contaminating the ground with pesticide after the water dried up.

It is not only the Rajapakses but the Sirisena thugs & their cronies who are responsible for the destruction but if they are ever to be punished for their crimes is unlikely, considering the current trend of lawlessness, cronism

Deforestation in Sri Lanka

By Sri Lanka Guardian • March 22, 2021 • Essays feature Raj Gonsalkorale • Comments : 0

The President needs to act, if he wishes to save himself and the government, and the country, before the torrent becomes a damaging and devastating flood

by Raj Gonsalkorale

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a forest reserve and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. 50% of Sri Lankan's endemics species of animals (especially butterfly, amphibians, birds, snakes and fish species). It is home to 95% endemic birds - Wikipedia

The Sinharaja forest is the country’s most priceless jewel that belongs to the future generations to come. Any person or entity that has destroyed this jewel has committed a crime where punishment is useless as this forest and its bio diversity can never be regenerated by punishing anyone after the event.

However, punishment there has to be, very dire punishment, to deter others from continuing to commit this crime and reducing this jewel to rubble. It is not only some official or a businessman or woman who has to be punished, but the politicians and the government who are the temporary custodians managing the country.

The UNESCO states that, quote“Sinha rajaencompasses the last extensive patch of primary lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka, and it is situated in the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. Covering an area of 8,864 ha and ranging from an altitude of 300 – 1,170 meters, it consists of 6,092 ha of Forest Reserve and 2,772 ha of Proposed Forest Reserve. This narrow strip of undulating terrain encompasses a series of ridges and valleys that are crisscrossed by an intricate network of streams. Draining to both the south and north, this detailed matrix of waterways flow into the Gin River on the southern boundary of the property and Kālu River via the NapoliDole, Koskulana Ganga and Kudawa Ganga on its northern boundary. Annual rainfall over the last 60 years has ranged from 3614 - 5006 mm with most of the precipitation during the south-west monsoon (May-July) and the north-east monsoon (November- January).

Sri Lanka is home to 830 endemic species, of which 217 trees and woody climbers are found in the low land wet zone. Of these, 139 (64%) have been recorded in the reserve including 16 rare species. Faunal endemism is particularly high for birds with 19 (95%) of 20 species recorded in the property being endemic to Sri Lanka. Endemism among mammals and butterflies is also greater than 50%. A number of threatened, endangered and rare species occur within the reserve including: leopard (Panthera pardus), Indian elephant (Elephas maxiumus), endemic purple-faced Langur (Presbytis senex), Sri Lanka wood pigeon (Columba torringtoni), green-billed Coucal (Centropus chlororrhynchus), Sri Lanka white-headed starling (Sturnus senex), Sri Lanka blue magpie (Cissa ornate), ashy-headed babbler (Garrulax cinereifrons) and Sri Lanka broad-billed roller (Eurystomus orientalis irisi)” unquote.

Alarmingly, there appears to be credible evidence that unauthorised deforestation is occurring within, on the periphery or just outside the Sinharaja forest reserve, an elsewhere.

If this is true, it is a crime against the future generations of Sri Lanka.

If short term gain, and avarice in some cases, is destroying a priceless treasure like Sinharaja, the rulers of today need to be taken to task for allowing this to happen.

If reports made, photographs published (not the fake photos doing the rounds on social media, but credible ones published in the Daily Mirror), and the impassioned plea of a young women, Bhagya Abeyratne and that of a respected Buddhist Monk like Omalpe Sobitha Thero, are untrue or they are misinformed, it is the responsibility of the President himself to assure them and the public that the reports are untrue or the voices of a rising tide of protests are misinformed, and that all is well.

If no action is taken by the President, people may justly or unjustly form their views that this is due to possible complicity or due to indebtedness to political supporters and financiers who worked to ensure his election as President.

The President cannot do this by listening to the very parties who might be involved in this alleged destruction. He needs to get an independent, credible and impartial investigator to investigate and report back to him, and do so soon. That report needs to be made public, and if it reports that the allegations are true, then action should be taken against anyone responsible for this degradation and a vile crime.

The President is urged, in the strongest possible terms that he should appoint such an investigator without delay, to investigate and submit his or her report, with photographs, to prove or disprove the allegations, and to do so within a period of a month.

If this potentially very damaging crime is indeed occurring, and the future of Sinharaja is threatened, it is the future of the country that is at stake, as there will not be a country that could sustain itself without forests, and without bio diversity in those forests. Such a crime, if it’s happening, is something that can, and should be referred to the UNHRC as it is a very genuine crime against humanity and a violation of human rights of the people of Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, if these allegations are a storm in a tea cup, and orchestrated by political opponents of the President and the government, that needs to be exposed as well. If this were the case, it would be in the Presidents interest and the interest of the government, and indeed in the interest of the country, to expose such a fraudulent campaign and take those responsible to task according to the law of the land.

It appears that at the centre of the alleged forest destruction is the government gazette notification 05/2021 which permits Provincial and District Secretaries to allow “residual land”, land lying in between protected lands like wild life reserves, protected forests, which by themselves are not protected, to be used for agriculture or for cattle grazing etc. While the intent of the gazette notification may have been honourable, it does leave room for dishonourable acts.

This writer highlighted this in an article titled“Sri Lanka desperately needs a strategic, transparent and comprehensive State land management policy” that appeared in the Daily FT, the Sri Lanka Guardian and Lankweb in November 2020.

It is the gazette notification 1/2020, which revokes previous notifications ‘05/2001,’ ‘02/2006,’ ‘5/98’ issued for the protection of the remaining remnant forests for the acquisition of lands required for the National Physical Plan, that is at the centre of this controversy as the enabling tool that opens the doors for misuse of protected land. In all likelihood the provisions of this gazette notification have been and are being misused.

If not, it is the duty of the President and the government to demonstrate it is not being misused.

Cutting down forests in one area and planting trees in another area is not a solution to protect the environment. It is the bio diversity in a forest, along with the forest, that protects the environment of the country. An existing bio diversity, once destroyed by cutting down forests, will be destroyed forever, and planting trees elsewhere will not give rise to bio diversity in such an area perhaps for thousands of years.

If the allegations relating to deforestation and environmental damage is proven to be true, the government seems to be moving towards a self-destructing trajectory. The alleged sugar scam, where the reduction of import duty from Rs 50 per KG to 25 cts per KG, resulting in a revenue loss for the government to the tune of some Rs 15 Billion, and a windfall for some importers, appears as the beginning of this journey.