Lanka 24 News
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • World News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • සිංහල
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • World News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • සිංහල
No Result
View All Result
Lanka 24 News
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

Protecting forests: a dire need

March 8, 2020
4 min read
Protecting forests: a dire need
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Forests and trees make important contributions to every living organism in the planet, strengthening livelihoods, providing clean air and water, preserving biodiversity and preventing climate change. Forests act as a source of food, medicine and fuel for the people. Therefore, it is important to protect the fast deteriorating forest cover in the country. Forests in Sri Lanka not only provide livelihood to many in the rural areas contributing to the country’s socio economic development but also help thwart the fast changing climate condition.

The alarming trend of deforestation has become a pressing issue for the Government. Records indicate that the size of the land covered by natural forests has decreased by a staggering 80% from 1948. As of now, the total forest cover in Sri Lanka remains at 27% of the total land mass. The reasons given for the degradation are increase in population, road construction, timber production, agricultural development and so forth.

Public opinion, however, defers. They are of the view that the poor management of Government authorities to control illicit felling of trees by various nefarious groups, often with the help of corrupt politicians is a reason for this. According to reports, from 2011 to 2018, the annual tree cover loss stands over 12,000 hectares. Recovering this loss is impossible unless the Government introduces stringent measures to control deforestation.

Sri Lanka experiences severe droughts and intense floods constantly. Eventually, water-related ecosystems provide clean water to the society. It is said that every tree in the forest is a fountain sucking water from the ground and releasing water vapour into the air. The impact of deforestation on rainfall is one of the most dangerous negative factors. Fertile and rich forests release a range of volatile organic compounds that has overall effects on our climate. Therefore, removing trees from forests will continue to have adverse effects on the country’s atmosphere. If deforestation continues, the small streams that contribute to the balance of our eco system, will fade away.

Generally, drought is thought as a natural disaster beyond human control. This is no longer a valid contemplation. Scientists around the world peered deeper into the changing climatic condition in the world and found that deforestation plays a crucial role in this alarmingly hazardous phenomenon. Felling trees in the forest releases stored carbon dioxide which entraps heat and increase atmospheric warming. The simple fact is that clouds require moisture released by trees to induce rainfall. The reduced water storage manifests longer dry spells which we as Sri Lankans experience throughout the country year after year.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his manifesto, has clearly stated his policy on protection and conservation of biodiversity, and declared that the Government will bring the control of these tasks under the purview of a single institution. To this writer’s knowledge, all authorities relevant to biodiversity were never under a single Ministry or institution since independence. Therefore, this decision has to be lauded. The manifesto states that the national forest cover will be increased by 30% from the current 27%, which is a daunting task, but an achievable goal if stern leadership is provided by the President. The President’s vision of establishing parks in urban and semi urban areas and developing urban vegetation would contribute to national tree cover growth and more importantly reduce the unbearable heat in urban and semi urban areas.

The biggest damage to the country’s forest and tree cover is through illegal logging, currently taking place in various scales, throughout the country. As per the Forest Department’s website, the forest in Sri Lanka is legally sheltered by the Forest Ordinance, National Heritage & Wilderness Areas Act and Fauna & Flora Ordinance. Despite the legal measures under these acts illicit loggers continue to fell trees. Illegal logging does not just involve stealing trees from forests, but goes beyond the actual ground situation to the bureaucratic and political arena. It involves illegal practices related to processing, licensing, transporting and trading.

Forest conservation in Sri Lanka takes place amid contradictory and poorly implemented regulations. Regulatory loopholes and unclear boundaries of governing laws between ministries and departments and other related agencies contribute to illegal logging and forest conversion.

It is regrettable that the writer’s many attempts to communicate with officials of the Forest Department to obtain information and their viewpoint on the matter were unsuccessful. The Department’s non user friendly website also was not very helpful and does not contain adequate data.

Illicit tree felling is an issue that enables corruption, social conflict, deprivation of state revenue and a threat to the country’s natural resources. Poor supervision by Government institutions along with the prevailing lethargic and indifferent attitude of the officials, has to be monitored. A proper mechanism to enable the prevailing laws over illegal logging needs immediate Government attention.

The society, at present, witnesses a newly induced public interest in tree planting, largely created by media, particular, by the television channels. Hence, the media must continue to engage further, in addition to the implementation of intensive Government plans promised in the manifesto.

Healthy forest and tree cover is essential for the sustainability of planet earth. Forests command great influence on the climate, soil, and environment of the country and the world at large. The nation as a whole must make every effort to protect the forests and to increase the forest cover.

Source: sundayobserver- Hemantha Kulatunga
ShareTweetPin
Previous Post

Police raid party in Pannipitiya and arrest 77 youths

Next Post

UNPers need not be averse to SJB as we are an alliance: Sajith

Related Posts

WHO warns smokers face higher risk of COVID-19
Opinion

WHO warns smokers face higher risk of COVID-19

March 28, 2020
Trump card players in Human Rights violations
Opinion

Trump card players in Human Rights violations

February 22, 2020
UNHRC Resolution 30/1 was to create instability for intervention
Opinion

UNHRC Resolution 30/1 was to create instability for intervention

February 22, 2020
Next Post
US travel ban on Army commander “regrettable” – Sajith

UNPers need not be averse to SJB as we are an alliance: Sajith

Italy, Iran & Korea arrivals to be quarantined in Batticaloa

Italy, Iran & Korea arrivals to be quarantined in Batticaloa

Six dead, three injured in Lunugamwehera accident

Six dead, three injured in Lunugamwehera accident

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

US Congress in turmoil as violent Trump supporters breach building

US Congress in turmoil as violent Trump supporters breach building

January 7, 2021
Udayanga slams Kimarli, says she was fully aware about Yala, Mirissa

Udayanga slams Kimarli, says she was fully aware about Yala, Mirissa

January 7, 2021
Dhammika Bandara

National Research Council yet to receive proposal on ’Dhammika Paniya’

January 2, 2021
Lifebuoy pledges support to protect teachers island wide

Lifebuoy pledges support to protect teachers island wide

January 2, 2021

Tweets

Latest News

US Congress in turmoil as violent Trump supporters breach building
World

US Congress in turmoil as violent Trump supporters breach building

January 7, 2021
0

One person reportedly shot dead Violent supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the Capitol in Washington,...

Udayanga slams Kimarli, says she was fully aware about Yala, Mirissa

Udayanga slams Kimarli, says she was fully aware about Yala, Mirissa

January 7, 2021
Dhammika Bandara

National Research Council yet to receive proposal on ’Dhammika Paniya’

January 2, 2021
Lifebuoy pledges support to protect teachers island wide

Lifebuoy pledges support to protect teachers island wide

January 2, 2021
Random Rapid Antigen Tests

Random Rapid Antigen Tests to be conduct in vulnerable areas in the country

January 2, 2021
Highest road accident deaths recorded in last 24 hours

Highest road accident deaths recorded in last 24 hours

January 2, 2021

Recent Posts

  • US Congress in turmoil as violent Trump supporters breach building
  • Udayanga slams Kimarli, says she was fully aware about Yala, Mirissa
  • National Research Council yet to receive proposal on ’Dhammika Paniya’

Categories

Astrologer Bank Breaking News Buddhist Temple Business Car Rental Car Rental Agency city Coronavirus Culture Doctors In Sri Lanka Entertainment Gadgets Health Hindu Temple Hotels hotels Info Jain Temple Latest News Leasing Lifestyle National News News Opinion Politics Property Recipes Sports Tech News Top Story Travel Uncategorized Web Design World

Follow Us

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact

Copyright Ⓒ 2019-2020. Lanka24News.Com. Solution by Colombo Media Network..

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • News
  • Business
  • Culture
  • National
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Opinion

Copyright Ⓒ 2019-2020. Lanka24News.Com. Solution by Colombo Media Network..

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.