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We should combat bio and gene piracy to protect endemic fauna and flora
Addressing a public discussion on "Bio-piracy and Genetic Resources" Gunasekere stated that the increasing and large scale exportation of genetic resources has posed a threat to Sri Lanka's unique eco-system and left a large number of endemic species on the verge of extinction. "Sri Lanka is considered a bio-diversity 'hot spot' in the world and this has made our eco-system the target of global rackets of bio piracy and bio theft. We have already lost many species of fauna, flora and organisms endemic to our country through such rackets," he said. Gunasekere pointed out that foriegn countries have acquired patent rights for products manufactured using many species including 'Kothalahimbutu', 'karawila' (bitter gourd), 'binara', 'kekuna' (canarium), clove oil, and several varieties of fish which are endemic to Sri Lanka. "Apart from this qualitative loss, bio-theft also causes the extinction of endangered species, bio-diversity degradation and disturbs the balance of the eco-system. For example, the continuous illegal exportation has endangered the existence of the Sri Lankan lobster which can be found only in the Kirinda area today," he said. According to Gunasekere, in the recent 'kekatiya' case where the Customs nabbed two tonnes of kekatiya removed from eight local tanks, severe damage had been caused to the surrounding eco-systems by reducing the water level of the tanks and breaking dams. "There is no prohibition on the sustainable and legal use of the eco-system to earn a living. But in these rackets the invaluable bio-diversity of our country is traded off illegally for a very low price. For example, in the 'kekatiya' case, we found out that the whole stock was to be sold for merely Rs 820,000 where as its market price was Rs 45.7 million." |
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