Cabinet nods for new Watershed Management Policy

by Florence Wickramage

Cabinet approval has been received for the new National Watershed Management Policy prepared by the Upper Watershed Management Project (UWMP) of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry for the purpose of conserving the Central Highlands and Watersheds.

Under the guidance of Environment and Natural Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, the UWMP along with officials of allied Ministries and experts in the field have coordinated efforts to draw up the policy, UWM Project Director D. P. Munaweera said at a media conference held recently at the UWMP Head Office in Colombo.

Munaweera said that there is still provision for the improvement of the Management Policy and the policy is open for fresh suggestions and views. The National Watershed Management Policy has been printed in all three languages.

The importance of setting up a fully fledged institution with legal provisions for the sustainable development, conservation and management of watersheds was highlighted at the discussion. The Institution to be set up would be in coordination with allied Ministries and institutions and experts in the field, Munaweera explained.

For further consideration of the proposed Institution and its functions, a workshop will be held from May 30-31 at the Central Environmental Authority Auditorium together with an exhibition depicting the work already accomplished under the UWMP. The aim of the workshop where over 150 experts in the field would be present will focus on enlisting community participation for furthering the project work the UWMP has undertaken during its project period.

The UWMP which commenced its work in 1998, will come to a close by the end of December this year. The new National Watershed Management Policy will therefore ensure the continuation of the project work with community participation to protect watersheds as well as to improve the living conditions of the villagers.

Destruction of watersheds would be the destruction of the country's water resources. As such to ensure the ongoing conservation work of the upper watersheds would not only yield benefits to the communitites living in villages in close proximity to the watersheds but to the country as a whole, Munaweera said.