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| Tuesday, 11 January 2005 |
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'Conservation of the coast' - did we carry it out? We as students have learnt about the Great Barrier Reef on the west coast of Australia which is totally made of coral and acts as a barrier to safeguard the coast. The coast of this small island, Sri Lanka, also had natural barriers made of coral. In fact, Hikkaduwa is still famous for its various types of underwater corals swaying in a rhythm, which is a beautiful sight enjoyed by all tourists. In fact all Biology students in universities of Sri Lanka would have visited Hikkaduwa beach and explored the sea using the glass bottomed boats. Coral reefs are built by minute coelenterate hydroids. Sri Lankan seas are endowed with various types of corals including very precious types. The coral reefs grow in the littoral waters of the sea and provide a natural barrier to the coast. There is a Coast Conservation Department plus many organizations like NARA who are the lords and protectors of the sea. From time to time, we learn from the papers that instructions have been issued to coral miners not to exploit the coral reefs excessively to provide lime stones for the building industry. When we proceed to the South of the country it is natural to see a number of lime kilns which continuously burn lime stones into quick lime. Today, the people of the coastal belt of the South have paid a heavy penalty for the destruction they caused to the coral reefs. As the scientists are aware, coral reefs do not need anything from us for their growth. They obtain everything from the sea. Being born and bred at sea, the coral reefs can withstand the lashing and the dashing of the tidal waves without any destruction. It is reported that some houses built of lime stone bricks have stood erect without succumbing to the erratic sea waves, proving that the constitution of the coral reefs is the natural barrier we should resort to. Sadly, we are not at the edge of the cliff. But without repenting our dismal past, the relevant authorities should educate everybody concerned on coral reef mining. It will take a considerable time period for the adequate growth of coral reefs. We have to be patient and it will be a tedious task of monitoring. I sincerely hope the authorities could study further what else could be done to propagate the coral reefs along the coasts. If there were strong coral reefs commencing from Koralawella in Moratuwa up to Matara, the tsunami waves would have been less fierce. The tiny coral worm may have saved some of the great human lives only if the humans were more humane towards them. The building construction conglomerates are not bothered about the harm that could befall the country if the natural resources are vandalized. They are only interested in huge profits. The same could be said regarding the exploitation of limestone deposits north of Puttlam by cement manufacturers. At the end of the day, the sea waters may seep inland into the vast area excavated to dredge out the lime deposits. This is one crucial issue which needs immediate monitoring by the relevant authorities. Today, there are no entrepreneurs or scientists who are involved in research and development to find alternate resources for limestone. I think the famous quote by Mark Twain - "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people" - - is really relevant at present. I wish to appeal to all the good people on the coastal belt in Sri Lanka to get together to promote coral reef formation so that our future generations will be protected from the lashing and dashing waves of the sea which is our dear friend and also a bitter foe. |
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![[Tsunami Afterthoughts]](Tsunami.gif)
