April - June , 2003
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
nvironmental
E
GEF-SGP
NEWS
PROTECTING THE OZONE LAYER
Volume 2
Issue 2
April - June, 2003
ISSN: 1391-7455
Inside
Protecting a world heritage
site ..............
3
Commemorating the World
Environment Day ..............
4
Participation of partner organizations in the World Environment
Day celebration ..............
5
Operational projects..........
Among other planets of the solar system our
very own Earth is unique in having an
atmosphere suitable for sustaining life. The
atmosphere is composed of a mixture of gases
within which the main constituents are
nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), argon (Ar),
carbon dioxide (CO2), neon (Ne), hydrogen
(H2) and ozone (O3). Among these there
are several that are vital to sustaining life.
Oxygen constituting 20.93% of the volume
is the main gas among them. Although
present in very small amounts compared with
oxygen, a mere 0.000007%, ozone also is
vital to make the planet habitable.
Ozone occurs in the upper atmosphere as a
layer located about 10-50 km above sea
level. The presence of this gas in the lower
atmosphere is insignificant. It is well-known
fact that sunlight is needed for sustaining life
on Earth. Ozone is formed in the upper
atmosphere when oxygen is bombarded by
7
to the environment in the lower atmosphere,
and as a result, are widely used by diverse
industries. However, once released into the
atmosphere, these gases find their way into
the upper layers and react with ultraviolet to
form highly reactive free radicals of bromine
and chlorine. In turn, these free radicals
destroy ozone molecules, thereby, depleting
the protective ozone layer, particularly over
the Polar Regions. The hole in the ozone
layer above Antarctica is estimated to be
around 2,3000,000 square miles.
Chemicals, which harm the ozone layer, are
released into the atmosphere in several ways.
ultraviolet rays in sunlight with shorter
wavelength and energy than other
components of the visible light. Ozone, thus
formed, stays as a layer above the earth
and protects the Earth and all life on it by
preventing the entry of harmful radiation
through this layer.
This protective layer is being destroyed as a
result of certain chemical compounds
produced by man for various industrial and
other uses. Main products responsible for
this destruction of the ozone layer include
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), halon, methyl
bromide, carbon tetrachloride and methyl
chloroform. These gases do not pose a threat
!
Refrigerators and air conditioners
installed in vehicles and homes contain
CFCs. CFCs used as a coolant in such
equipment, find their way into the environment
during manufacture, use as well as while
effecting repairs. In addition to these sources,
CFCs are used as propellants for perfumes,
paints, pesticides, etc. They are also widely
used in the manufacture of foam products.
!
Methyl bromide is widely used for
soil fumigation in tea plantations.
To Page 02 ...........
This newsletter is a quarterly publication by the Global Environment Facility / Small Grants Programme of the
United Nations Development Programme Sri Lanka
April - June , 2003
2
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
National Coordinator
Global Environment Facility / Small Grants Programme
United Nations Development Programme
P.O. Box : 1505, No. 202-204,
Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
Tel : 0094-1-2580691 - 9
Fax : 0094-1-2581116
E- 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 : 0094-35-2232678
E- mail : [email protected]
Page setting and Printing : NEO
Graphics 0094-74-300372
Editor / Coordinator : Mr. Ruwan Weerasooriya
Editor (English) : Dr. B.M.K. Perera
Editor (Tamil) : Mr. S. Visvalingam
Assistant Coordinator : Mr. Wipula Chandrasekara
Photo Sponsors : Ruwan Weerasooriya, Dayan Karunarathne, Banduranga Kariyawasam, T.P.G Amarajeewa
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 ......
!
In many industries carbon
tetrachloride and methyl chloroform are used
as a cleaning liquid and a solvent. In Sri
Lanka, these chemicals are used in the
manufacturing process of activated carbon
and in the textile industry.
!
Halon is used in fire extinguishers
Other than the above pollutants, nitrous oxide
resulting from burning of fossil fuel also
destroys ozone molecules in the upper
atmosphere.
Inability to prevent the penetration of
ultraviolet rays of the sun by a depleted ozone
layer causes a multitude of health concerns
and adverse effects on the environment.
These include skin cancers, cataracts,
blindness, loss of immunity to diseases,
abnormalities in the growth of plants, poor
yields of crops, loss of biodiversity, poor
yields fish due to destruction of plankton,
mutation of genes, warming of the earth,
melting of the polar icecaps with the resultant
rise in the sea level, crop loss due abnormal
rainfall patterns, protracted drought, etc. The
end result of all this would be the inability of
Mother Earth to sustain life any longer.
Countries of the world decided to initiate an
agreement on making a joint effort in
preventing the depletion of the ozone layer
in 1985. This facilitated the development of
laws and technology needed for preparing
the basis for drafting global conventions on
prevention of depletion of the ozone layer,
and led to the advent of the Vienna
Convention. The year 1987 marked the
adoption of the Montreal Protocol on phasing
out of the production and use of chemicals
harmful to the ozone layer.
In 1989, Sri Lanka, too, became a signatory
to the Montreal Protocol and since then has
commenced to phase out chemicals
deleterious to the ozone layer. Steps taken
in the regard include the use of refrigerators
with non-CFC coolants and using HFCs
instead of CFCs in the manufacture of foam
products. In agriculture, integrated pest
management is being promoted in place of
using methyl bromide. Ozone-friendly
products are used as solvents and carbon
dioxide is used as a substitute in fire
extinguishers. Sri Lanka has also taken steps
to prevent the import and sale of CFC
containing refrigerators discarded by other
countries and promotes the use of natural
products for packaging.
In Sri Lanka, the mandate for implementing
these activities is vested in the Montreal
Protocol Unit of the Ministry of Environment
and Natural Resources. Main emphasis of
the programme is placed on phasing out the
use of CFCs as refrigerants. With this in mind,
the programme has supported two
manufacturers of refrigerators to produce
ozone-friendly appliances and several
manufacturers of perfumes to use butane as
a propellant. A separate project has been
launched to prevent the release of CFCs in
refrigerators during repairs into the
atmosphere by recycling the gas. Over a
hundred refrigerator repair centres were
provided with equipment needed for collecting
CFCs and eight centres were established to
purify the collected gas. Already, 350
technicians have been trained in various
aspects relating this activity. By 31st
December 2004, the import of refrigerators
using CFCs as a coolant would be banned
in Sri Lanka and already plans are under
way to develop laws and suitable alternatives
and schedule related activities. Concurrently,
awareness programmes are being carried
out at various levels to facilitate this
changeover.
(This article was based on
information provided by the
Montreal Protocol Unit of The
Ministry of Environment & Natural
Resources)
GEF-SGP
Environmental NEWS
April - June , 2003
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
PROTECTING A WORLD
HERITAGE SITE
Sigiriya, located in the North Central
Province of Sri Lanka, is a priceless cultural
heritage. On account of the ancient kingdom
of King Kasyapa, ruins associated with it
and the richness of the environment,
UNESCO has nominated it as a world
heritage site. For their sustenance villagers
in the area traditionally depend on slashburn (chena) cultivation, paddy cultivation,
hunting and collection and sale of forest
products. Influx of local and foreign tourists
to the area has provided self-employment
opportunities for some and led to the
development of business enterprises, but
failed to solve the problem of non-availability
of land to match the demands of an
increasing population. It is understood that
lands located within protected areas may
not be used for farming. Encroaching into
the forest was mutually detrimental to the
denizens of the forests and the villagers who
sought to eke out an existence from the
forest. Occasions of an emerging humanelephant conflict can also said to be
developing here.
Centre for Eco-cultural Studies of
Sigiriya has launched a participatory project
to protect this priceless biological and
cultural heritage. The project activities are
based on Talkote and Pidurangala, two
villages in close proximity to Sigiriya.
Activities undertaken by the project include
rehabilitation of abandoned chenas,
promoting cultivation activities outside the
GEF-SGP
Environmental NEWS
confines of the protected area, management
of collection/harvesting of forest products,
conservation of ecological and cultural
resources and awareness creation on
environment-related activities. The primary
objective of these activities was to improve
the economy of villagers, and thereby, pave
the way to environmental conservation.
As an alternative to honey gathering from
the forest, awareness was created on
organized bee-keeping and training and
facilities were provided to manage 50 bee
boxes. The villagers have succeeded in
harvesting 3 - 4 litres of honey per six
months and sell it at the price of Rs. 200 per
litre. In addition, farmers have managed to
earn more from the sale of traditional grains.
Other resources made use of to enhance
the people’s income included gathering
seeds available locally and sale of oils
extracted from oil-bearing seeds. The
organization has constructed 14 agro-wells
and renovated two community wells for
obtaining potable water for the use of 30
families. Two water tanks were constructed
for the benefit of wildlife in the vicinity.
Archaeological sites of Sigiriya attract about
70,000 local tourists and 5000 foreigners.
Lack of knowledge of the importance, value
and background of the monuments and
ruins coupled with the inability to speak
international languages were recognized as
significant impediments to capitalizing on this
Project News
3
opportunity to enhance income. Knowledge
was given to several youths on
environmental and cultural values of the
Sigiriya area and trained to serve as guides
for tourists. With the concurrence of the
Ceylon Tourist Board, they were given the
required permits and uniforms. The
programme facilitated the formation of an
Eco-cultural Tour Guide Association with
27 members trained to serve as qualified
tour guides. Also trained were 40 youths to
provide various services to tourists. The
resultant enhancement in income was 50
and 30 percent for tour guides and
assistants, respectively.
In addition, 23 members of women’s
organizations in the region were trained to
make use of material available in the area,
collection, produce and sell of range of reedbased products.
Providing facilities for tourists to observe
wildlife was another aspect emphasized by
the project. Observation posts were set up
at various places close to the sanctuary
with foot-paths linking them to facilitate easy
access. Denuded or degraded areas in the
forest identified in the process of collection
of data on biodiversity were rehabilitated by
the project. All these activities were carried
out with the active collaboration of relevant
government agencies such as the Cultural
Triangle Project, Wildlife Conservation
Department, the Ceylon Tourist Board and
the Department of Forest Conservation.
Project No. : SRL / 01 / 23
Project Title : Integrated Eco-cultural
Resource Management in Sigiriya Area.
Project Period :
September 2001 - November 2002
Partner Organization :
Centre for Eco-cultural Studies.
Address :
1613, Malabe Rd, Kottawa, Pannipitiya.
Project Coordinator :
Mr. Sujeewa Jasinghe
E-mail : [email protected],
[email protected]
Website : www.cessrilanka.org
April - June , 2003
4
Volume 2 Issue 2
COMMEMORATING
THE WORLD
ENVIRONMENT DAY
The Small Grants Programme of Global
Environment Facility of the United Nations
commemorated the World Environment Day
at Viharamahadevi Park on 5-6th of June
2003. A variety of items organized to celebrate
the event clearly demonstrated the need for
greater collaboration among diverse
categories of people and sectors concerned
with environmental conservation. The slogan
‘Water is the origin of life – Two billion people
are dying for want of water’ was the focal
point of the celebration and emphasized the
need for conservation of our heritage and
resources for posterity. The current year’s
festivities for the commemoration World
Environment Day were special in that it had
the widest possible participation of state sector
organizations, member NGOs of the GEF/
SGP programme and private organizations
promoting environmental conservation.
Many came forward to organize stalls and
exhibitions.
The Chief Guests of the inaugural
ceremony were Resident Representative
of UNDP, Mr Miguel Bermio, Secretary of
the Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resources Mr. Thosapala Hewage and
Mayor of Colombo Mr. Prasanna
Gunawardena.
Mrs.
Shireen
Samarasuriya, National Coordinator of the
programme, represented GEF/ SGP.
Planting of trees at Viharamahadevi Park by
the Chief Guests marked the official
inauguration. Clarification of the aims and
objectives of the celebration of the World
Environment Day was followed by speeches
of Chief Guests and cultural items devoted to
water conservation.
The Education Committee of the World
Environment Day commemoration
programme had organized an island-wide
essay and creative writing competition
covering various aspects on the main theme
of ‘Water and Hydraulic Civilization’. Prizes
and certificates were awarded to winners in
the morning of the 5th.
In the evening a cultural pageant was held in
the open-air theatre of Viharamahadevi Park.
Within the gamut of cultural items presented in
the traditional genre, one item, which fascinated
the audience, was the ‘Kavi naduwa’ (lawsuit
in verse). Kavi naduwa was a means by which
our ancestors let the world know of grievances
and injustices meted out to them. The Kavi
naduwa, dramatized on the World
Environment Day, featured the tale of woe of
farmers threatened with having to pay for
irrigation water as a result of a programme
carried out under the guise of ‘Efficient Water
Management’. Kavi naduwa continued until
10.00 p.m. in several episodes.
ISSN: 1391-7455
The main item for the day on the 6th was
an environmental march. A large number
of members of the GEF/ SGP programme,
both male and female of all walks of life,
carrying banners and lined up according
the provinces they represented,
participated in this march. The procession,
led by Maha Sangha and accompanied
by spinners of hand drums (raban),
wended its way to the beat of traditional
drums, around the Park and Lipton Circuit
and returned to Viharamahadevi Park.
Several SGP member organizations
made use of the opportunity to voice their
protest against the sale of our biodiversity,
water and environmental resources to
foreigners.
The march was followed by a discussion
on World Environment Day celebrations,
with the active participation of
representatives of NGOs from the different
regions, Members of Parliament
representing different parties and
environmentalists. Last item for the day
was ‘Deva kannalawwa’ (an appeal to
gods) –a dramatization of the traditional
genre. It was an entreaty to the gods to
alleviate threats to the traditional way of
life by resolving problems and constraints
related to water availability and use. The
item held the attention of the audience and
appeared to have created the awakening
of feelings concerning water
conservation.
The two-day-long commemoration
programme of the World Environment
Day gave a insight to the participants, who
converged to Viharamadevi Park from
all corners of the Island, on activities
undertaken by GEF/ SGP. It also
provided the participants an opportunity
to obtain knowledge on development of
eco-friendly products and organic
farming. The main responsibility for the
cultural programme of the celebrations
was borne by National Nature Farming
Network. All participating environmental
organizations fervently hope that this event
would have become a turning point in
collaboration
among
diverse
organizations and the state sector and
pave the way to networking for truly
effective conservation of the environment.
GEF-SGP
Environmental NEWS
April - June , 2003
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
5
World Environment Day Programme 2003
Participation of all partner organizations
Participation / Contribution
Name of the Organization
1
2
3
4
Dambulu Praja sanwardena Kendraya
Arunodaya Rural Development Federation
Naula Rural Development Foundation
Women's Integrated Community
Development Society
5 C.S.R.O.
6 Centre for Human Resources
7 SOND
8 Isuru Development Center
9 People’s Development Foundation
10 People's Yourth Foundation
11 Sinhala-Tamil Rural Women’s Network
12 Human Development Edification Center
13 People’s Participatory Foundation
14 Pahala Uva Sanwardena Kendraya
15 Ex.Traffic Police Instructors Organization
for Environmental Friendly driving
16 Manawa Sampath Saha Prisara Surakum
Sanvidanaya
17 Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
18 Environmental Forum of Balangoda
19 Socio & Environmental Foundation of the
Central Province
20 Integrated Development Association
21 Giruwapattu Community Development
Center
22 Community Development Center
23 Human and Environment Links
Progressive Organization (HELP-O)
24 Podujana Himikam Kamituwa
25 Environment Protection Foundation
26 Community Oriented Resource
Exchange (CORE)
27 Wana Arana Environment & Social
Development Foundation
28 Wilpotha Women’s Saving Effort.
29 Kabilladowa Sustainable Agricultural
Co-operative Society Ltd.
30 Society for People Centered Development
31 Human Development Foundation of Sri Lanka
32 Mihikatha Parisara Sanvidanaya.
33 Central Council for the Disabled Persons
34 Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society
35 Shanthi Nikethanaya
36 Development Ed.Ins.for Human and Env.
Resource Management
37 Wellassa Development Foundation
38 Ruk Rakaganno
2 nd
1st
Participation
Sponsors Information
Exhibition
Meeting Meeting
Cultural
as
March
for
for
Stall
events
Volunteers
Souvenir Souvenir
Responsibilities
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
-
!
-
-
-
-
!
!
-
!
-
!
-
!
-
!
-
-
!
!
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
-
!
!
!
-
-
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
!
!
-
!
!
-
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
-
!
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
-
-
!
-
-
!
-
-
!
-
-
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
-
-
-
!
To page 6 ''''''
GEF-SGP
Environmental NEWS
April - June , 2003
6
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
Participation /Contribution
Name of the Organization
2 nd
1st
Participation
Sponsors Information
March Exhibition
Meeting
Meeting
as
for
for
Stall
Volunteers
Souvenir Souvenir
39 IMSO development Foundation
40 Participatory Development Center
41 Human & Environmental Development
Organization
42 Kandurata Praja Sanwardana Kendraya
43 Nature Foundation
44 ITDG-South Asia
45 Negampaha Korale Agro-Producers'
Development
46 Integrated Environmental Organization
47 Green Movement of Sri Lanka
48 Energy Forum
49 Praja Swashakthi Vardana Padanama
50 Socio Economic Development Organization
(SEDO)
51 Center for Eco-cultural Studies (CES)
52 Sri Lanka Social Development Library
Institute
53 Saruketha Movement
54 Social, Economic & Environmental
Development Organization (SEEDO)
55 Neo Synthesis Research Center (NSRC)
56 Mihisara Organization
57 Arunalu Community Development Center
58 Total Development Foundation
59 Isuru Jeewithodaya Foundation
60 Diriyakatha Development Foundation
61 Rainforest Micro-hydro Association
62 Deepaloka Foundation
63 Sewalanka Foundation
64 Young Zoologists' Association
65 Center for Self Development Studies
66 OEPED, Ampara
67 Sri Lanka Environment & Community
Development Institution
68 Allapitawatte Electricity Consumers Welfare
Organization
69 Arunalu Community Development
Foundation*
70 National Ethnic Unity Foundation *
71 Women Development Foundation *
72 Sri Lanka Centre for Development
Facilitation *
73 Lanka Electric Vehicle Association *
74 Mithuru Mithuro Movement *
75 Green Media Network *
76 Derana Community Development
Foundationn
! = Successful Participation
Cultural Responsibevents
ilities
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
!
-
!
!
-
-
-
!
!
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
-
-
!
!
-
!
-
!
!
-
-
-
!
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
-
!
!
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
-
-
-
-
!
-
-
-
-
-
!
!
!
!
-
!
!
!
!
-
-
-
- = No Response
-
!
-
* = New Organizations
GEF-SGP
Environmental NEWS
April - June , 2003
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
Operational Projects
7
Projects approved under the second operational phase of GEF/ SGP
Project Title
Project No.
Project
period
Partner Organization
Project
Status
SRL /03/01
Biodiversity Conservation through Micro Watershed Protection.
Sri Lanka Environment & Community
Development Institute
55 C, Pallekanda, Thaldena, Badulla.
Tel : 072-607557
February 2003 - On - going
February 2005
SRL /03/02
Biodiversity Conservation through Conservation of Local Paddy Varieties.
Saruketha Movement
"Nandana"
Galabadayawatta Road, Matugama.
Tel : 034-2248667
February 2003 - On - going
March 2005
SRL /03/03
Micro hydro Power Generation
Allapitawatta Electricity Consumers Welfare Organization
Elangipitiya, Aranayaka,
Kegalle.
February 2003 - On - going
February 2004
SRL /03/04
Conservation of Nagoda Forest
Arunalu Community Development Foundation
30/4, Baddewela Road, Tangalle.
April 2003 April 2005
SRL /03/05
Biodiversity Conservation of Nelli Kele Forest
Reserve.
National Ethnic Unity Foundation
24/18 / 1, Udayagiriya,
Uhana, Ampara.
Tel : 063 - 2224603
February 2003 - On - going
February 2004
SRL /03/06
Protection of Uma Oya Watershed & Montane
Forest.
Sri Lanka Social Development Library Institute
6th Mile Post, Uduwara, Hali Ela.
Tel :055 - 2294463
February 2003 - On - going
February 2005
SRL /03/07
Ext. to SRL/01/24 : Restoration of Watershed
through Total Eco-system Management.
Neo Synthesis Research Centre
C/O Raksha (pvt) Ltd.,
Horana Road,
Kottawa.
Tel : 074 - 301091
SRL /03/08
Community Based Conservation of the Sinharaja
World Heritage Site Buffer Zone.
Sewalanka Foundation
2nd Floor, 432, Colombo Rd,
Boralesgamuwa.
Tel : 01 - 2545326
March 2003 March 2004
On - going
SRL /03/09
Rural Economic Development & Reduction of
Global Warming through Biodiversity Enhancement.
Women Development Foundation
26, Sirimalwatta, Gunnepana,
Kandy.
March 2003 March 2005
On - going
SRL /03/10
Publication of the Newsletter for GEF/SGP Sri
Lanka.
March 2003 March 2005
On - going
SRL /03/11
Environment Day Celebration.
Sri Lanka Environment Exploration
Society
504, Kandy Rd, Meepitiya, Kegalle.
Tel :035 - 2232678
National Nature Farming Network
Atakalanpanna,
Kahawatta.
Tel : 045 - 2225192
March 2003 June 2003
Completed
SRL /03/12
Ext. to SRL / 98 / G 52 / 05 :
Address Energy Needs of the Villagers through
the Use of Wind.
Manawa Sampath Saha Parisara
Surakum Sanvidhanaya
No. 200, Kirinda,
Tissamaharamaya.
Tel : 047 - 2223407
May 2003 On - going
December 2003
On - going
February 2003 - Completed
March 2003
Continued in the next issue ...........
GEF-SGP
Environmental NEWS
8
April - June , 2003
Volume 2 Issue 2
ISSN: 1391-7455
Story behind a photo
MAKERS OF THE EARTH
IS THIS A RESULT OF
GLOBAL WARMING?
No. 1 volume 3 of our newsletter discussed the adverse
effects of climate change resulting from global warming
caused by an increase in greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide. We indicated that small tropical islands like
Sri Lanka and the Maldives would be badly affected as a
result of rising sea levels occurring due to global warming.
In Sri Lanka, rising sea levels would seriously affect an
estimated 158,000 hectares of the coastal belt comprising
lagoons and estuaries, 12,500 hectares of mangroves,
11,788 hectares of coastline by processes such as sea
erosion, adverse changes in the ecosystems and
development of salinity. Our ‘Story behind the photo’ shows
the severity of sea erosion, recorded in Wennappuwa in
Sri Lanka, recently.
Irrespective of the life form, man, animal or plant, our
humble beginnings were shaped by three factors i.e.
air, water and soil. Sustenance and continuance of life
would not have been possible if not for the existence of
a favourable balance among these factors and all living
beings. Sadly we are responsible for the loss of quality
of these very factors that made life possible on this planet.
Professor Sarath Kotagama and Mr Athula Wijayasinghe
have published a series of books entitled Makers of
the Earth: 1. Soil 2. Water 3. Air and 4. Life. Written in
jargon-free language easily understood by the young
reader, these books highlight the importance of carrying
out conservation programmes and living in harmony
with nature. Sponsored by GEF/ SGP, the series is
available in Sinhala & Tamil.
Inquiries concerning these books :
Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka
Department of Zoology,
University of Colombo,
Colombo 03.
Tel : 075 - 342609
Fax : 075 - 337644
E- mail : [email protected]
GEF-SGP Environmental NEWS
From:
Editor / Coordinator
GEF-SGP Environmental News
Sri Lanka Environment Exploration Society ,
No. 504, Kandy Road,
Meepitiya, Kegalle,
Sri Lanka.
To: