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| Friday, 07 January 2005 |
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by Florence Wickramage An expert survey on the loss of biodiversity along the coastline has become an urgent need in the face of the tsunami tidal waves which battered most of Sri Lanka's coastline. The survey would help in preserving what is left of the rich biodiverity and to resuscitate whatever is possible before total destruction, says Environmentalist and Working Director, National Water Supply and Drainage Board Sunil Sarath Perera. Perera made these observations about the key protective role of mangroves and corals against the tsunami calamity at a recent discussion Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse had with officials at Temple Trees on the various aspects of tsunami aftermath and plans to rebuild Lanka. Twenty four per cent of Sri Lanka's Southern coastline had a rich biodiversity of endemic aquatic life, aquatic plants, mangroves, corals etc. along with certain species of biorelatives endemic to the country. Eighty per cent of the tourist hotels were based in the Southern coastline which contributed to the tourist industry. Sunil Sarath Perera further observed that recent developments along the coastline and mining in corals have destroyed aquatic flora and fauna over the past few years. A healthy coral-reef would have acted as a barrier against the harshness of the tsunami. In addition prawn farming in the Negombo and Puttalam Lagoons have endangered the existence of mangroves which acted as a swamp to rushing waves. Illegal encroachments and developments carried on the Muthurajawela marshes have contributed to the loss of aquatic plant and animal life. Perera said that the affected coastline comes under the purview of around 68 Divisional Secretariat divisions. As such the services of field officers, environmentalists and officials of allied departments such as the Coast Conservation Department, the Fisheries Department and experts in the field of conservation should be harnessed to conduct the survey and attend to follow up action, Perera said. |
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