Sri Lanka environmental issues and remedies
The biological asset of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s natural wealth is one of the most valuable assets of the people of Sri Lanka. This natural wealth helps the country in many ways. In the tourism point of view, rain forests, beaches, wildlife reserves, rivers, lakes and mountains play a very important role. It helps the country to attract a large number of foreign travellers and entertain local travellers.
The biological diversity of Sri Labak is a very high level with a variety of trees, plants, animals and microorganisms. The south Asian island posses a variety of ecosystems such as lakes, forest, rivers agricultural landscapes that host multiple kinds of interactions among all –humans, animals and plants.
Sri Lankan pristine beaches are the most important tourist attraction on the island. Sri Lanka beaches are so important for travellers, it is highly unlikely to find a tourist that does not visit Sri Lankan beaches. A large number of beach resorts are dotted along the beaches and attracts a large crowd every year.
Sri Lankan beaches
A large number of beach resorts are dotted along the beaches of Sri Lanka. Starting from North-west Sri Lanka to western coast to deep south Sri Lanka, a large number of beach resorts help the travellers to enjoy beautiful beaches.
The beaches are also a great place to year-round saltwater activities. Being a tropical island, Sri Lanka is surrounded by warm water, which is 27 degrees Celcius. The water temperature is constant throughout the year.
There are many hundred places in the ocean around Sri Lanka for diving, snorkelling, surfing, boating, swimming and fishing. Inland water resources provide opportunities for water rafting, kayaking and many other water sports.
Sri Lanka wildlife trips
Sri Lanka rain forests such as Sinharaja rain forest, knuckles forest as well as many dozens of wildlife reserves harbour a large number of Fauna and Flora species. Sri Lanka wildlife reserves such as Udawalaawe national park and Yala wildlife reserve gives you a topnotch wildlife experience.
Sri Lanka wildlife reserves are inhabited by rare animal species like Elephant, bear, and leopards. Venturing on a Sri Lanka wildlife tour is the best way of exploring the rich natural wealth hidden in national parks. Same times taking part in rainforest exploration trip such as Sinharaja rain forest tour is the best way of learning the rich Flora of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Rain forest tours
Sri Lankan rainforest such as Knuckles rain forest not only has very high flora diversity but also they harbour a large number of avian fauna species. Sri Lanka is one of the best places for bird watching and the bird lovers can sport a large number of birds on Sri Lanka trip. 450 bird species are to be found on the island and 25 of these avian fauna species are endemic to the island.
Neglecting the natural wealth
Even though Sri Lanka’s natural wealth is very valuable and helps immensely for the people of Sri Lanka, it seems to be that people are not concern about the well-being of the valuable asset.
The amount of waste material is largely increased over the last few years and they are accumulating in the environment. Environment pollution is sharply increased over the last few decades. It has become a health hazard in some parts of the island.
Improper waste management
Improper waste management has been under discussion as one of the environmental issues in Sri Lanka for several decades. Even though the garbage management has been improved to a satisfactory level in some parts of the island such as Colombo, Gampaha, there some areas still not improved to a satisfactory level. Improper waste management has caused hygienic issues in some areas.
An increasing number of Dengue patient is reported in populated areas and improper waste management has been identified as a reason for the increasing number of mosquito breeding spots. Garbage has caused flooding in major cities such as Colombo due to blockage of velvets and canals.
In order to minimize the environmental issues due to garbage, the government of Sri Lanka and the Provincial Council Ministry has taken many steps to streamline the garbage management. Recently the provincial councils have received garbage management equipment and vehicles from the government to minimize the garbage problem in the areas under their management.
The provincial councils will be provided with the technical and other know how to make proper garbage disposal and collection, managing garbage properly, land preparation for garbage disposal, making organic fertilizer using garbage, and recycling garbage.
Vehicles and garbage management equipment with a value of Rs 19 million were distributed among the provincial councils including Urban Council in Jaffna and Eravur and Provincial Councils being Bulathsinhala, Thamankaduwa, Central Nuwaragam Palath, Kobeigane, Udunuwara and Thawalama. The distribution of items was patronized by the Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A L M Athaulla.
Pura Neguma, a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) inaugurated by the ministry to improve the infrastructure facilities among the low-income provincial councils. A sum of Rs 7,000 million is allocated for the project.
