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Desertification tightens its thorny grip on Dry Zone

by Afreeha Jawad

If devouring the environment is man's objective in his quest for development, this in itself will necessarily lead to his perdition as well.



Sand mining - a source of devastation

Man, supposedly with his remarkable 'ability' to manipulate anything and everything is far removed from the reality of danger should he tamper with nature for nature's limitations in vengeance is far removed from man's restricted comprehension.

Environment - the very instrument of his survival today - undergoes a high degree of hurt and is evidenced in the numerous reactionary stances coming in the form of landslides, floods, droughts and the like.

The recent ecological variations in Sri Lanka following the craze to be on board the developmental bandwagon brought on us a compelling exercise of even having to drink sea water. The heavy mining of the Kelani river positioned the sea on a higher elevation which invariably threw its waters into this river - a main drinking water source for Colombo's residents not to forget these in and around this small harbour city as well.

According to Dr. M. U. A. Tennakoon - economist, geographer and agriculturist, the Maha Oya is yet another heavily mined river.

"Maha Oya's upstream from Giriulla upto Alawwa, the salt water has come in," he informed. "What if the sea level rises 5 feet. How will Sri Lanka's map look?" he asked. Elaborating on this, Dr. Tennakoon spoke of how sea water intrusion into land will cover low-lying areas around the river mouths, throwing tongues of sea water inland.

Large sea bays like the one in Kalpitiya are inevitable. Simultaneously, changes in vegetation, crops, the extinction of river fish are among other things in the affected list. As it is, these fresh water fish are battling it all out, confronting sea water and shoals of such drifting from their natural habitation into areas like Ratnapura has been observed.

The tongued areas' wells putting out brackish water would also threaten humans as drinking water becomes scarce. Also, the agro wells absorbing the alkaline water will become irrigation unfriendly.

Directing our minds to Kalpitiya and its surroundings, one sees the unending stretches - mile upon mile of arid, desert land, consequential to high alkaline content. More than half of Kalpitiya land remain non-productive.

As a solution to the existing problem and to prevent further mess Dr. Tennakoon suggests keeping off sand extraction at least for another 10 years during which time, the upstream wash out soil will deliver the deposit of sand in these rivers to make up for the loss arising out of human avarice and negligence.

All what happened through these years was that extraction superseded the natural deposit. What we should have really done was to prohibit mining up to a 10 mile distance from the river mouths.

Referring to the salt content in rain water and the long lost indigenous knowledge of our people who averted its adverse effects on vegetation and ground water, he referred to the planting of Wetakeiyya, Wal Beli, Anukkan and Andehera - all salt succulents.

With the rains a certain amount of salt comes in and deposits. This salt seeps under the tank and appears on the other side of the bund. To arrest its spread all over the paddy fields, the indigenous way was to plant these varieties. Reflecting on such marvels of indigenous knowledge, he also spoke of how the wet lands concept really started from them. Referred to as 'Kattakaduwa', these lands not only helped ground water deposit but also prevented large scale salt content in the rains that collected.

The Dry Zone with its alkaline high content comprises much calcium which is why the area's population have good, strong teeth but unfortunately it is also a place from where the largest number of kidney patients are reported. Contrary to this is Colombo's water with low alkaline whose population is noted for bad teeth but less trouble in the kidneys. However, with iodised salt and the present sea water intake over here in Colombo, one never knows what the after-effects would be.

However, according to Dr. Nirmala Pieris, head Corporate Services Division, Industrial Technology Institute, the water presently dispensed in Colombo is treated. The tongue she informs is the most sensitive organ and extremely quick in detecting taste. As the tongue is not averse to the water she believes the present water is harmless.

Dr. Tennakoon also regrets the fall in the Dry Zone's groundwater levels - mostly wells. The alkaline content in domestic and agro wells is evident following the over extraction of water. Secondly we also do not maintain our vegetation - both man made and natural by arresting the free flow of water.

Canopies always are speed breakers for lashing rains. Rain penetrates the canopy slowly, reaches the ground gently and rests on the sprawling dry leaf debris creating a sponge spread across the ground that further helps the sustenance of the canopy itself and very importantly leaving room for water to seep into the earth. This process also lowers the rain water's high alkaline or salt composition. So, what's most important is to protect that vegetation. The more vegetation, the greater the chances of rain.

The destruction of forests opens the earth to direct sunlight and quickens the process of drying. Plants lose moisture. Vegetation is retarded and there is no ground sponge of leafy debris. When such a land is exposed to lashing tropical rains, top soil erosion occurs with soil deposits in rivers.

What's more, man in the name of development harnesses the rivers resorting to sand mining. Kurunegala is the most recent to come under the high speed development arena. The recent floods over there is noteworthy and future natural disasters are also foreseen. As desertification increases, the Dry Zone and NCP is taking on thorny plants.

Near Veddahkanda - 8 miles off Medawachchiya, research conducted in 1970 showed about 10 per cent thorny plants. The same place re-visited after 30 years revealed a 40 per cent increase of such.

As a word of caution Dr. Tennakoon appeals to reconsider what's taking place under the development canard. If present levels of development continues drought, floods, loss of food production, drinking water scarcity, and dry climate turning into desert climate is inevitable.

"So, protect all vegetation. Mountain wetlands and tank environs. This is our development basis and not property sales and real estate. Look at least 25 years ahead," he warned.

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