Environment protection: Local Authorities playing pivotal role

Stanley SENEVIRATNE Kurunegala North Group Corr.

Although the word 'Environment' is not mentioned in Local Government enactments, Local Authorities in Sri Lanka, were playing an important role in the management and protection of the environment. Long before the Central Environment Authority was established in 1981. In fact before the Central Environment Authority was set up, the main statutory authorities which looked after the environmental aspect of community life at local level were Municipal, Urban, Town Councils and Village Councils.

Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Patrick Karunasinghe made the above observations commencing the massive shramadana campaign under the concept of "Keep the Environment Clean" conducted at Wehari junction in the main Colombo-Kurunegala main road and in accordance with the dengue eradication project organised by the health authorities of the PS.

This massive shramadana campaign kicked off at Wehera junction along the Colombo-Kurunegala main road upto Dambulla junction covering about 3 1/2 km length cleaning the total drain network and destroying all mosquito breeding places.

Karunasinghe also observed that public of the area do not take necessary steps to clean their environment daily and destroy all mosquito breeding places. Legal action would be taken against all those who failed to do so in accordance with the National Environment Act No. 56 of 1980.

Karunasinghe also said that the Local Authorities have a major role to play in educating the public about the preservation of the environment and mastering their participation in environment activities. A program is already underway for ensuring the contribution of schoolchildren, Youth and Women's Organisations by conducting seminars, workshops, exhibitions and various competitions. Local Authorities may also direct the operation of community environment projects and dengue eradication programs.

Karunasinghe also pointed out that during the last three decades, the environment has become a very important subject area which receives special attention, not only at national level but at regional and international levels also.

With the establishment of the Central Environment Authority in 1981 under the provision of the National Environment Act No. 56 of 1980 and a separate Cabinet Ministry for Environment in 1990 the role of Local Authorities in management and protection of environment at local level received more recognition. A scheme of decentralisation of environmental functions, was formulated in 1993 and is being implemented with the active participation of Local Authorities. In order to facilitate and strengthen the environmental role of Local, Authorities, some of the powers including the power to issue environmental protection licences for low polluting industries have been delegated to Local Authorities by the Central Environmental Authority in terms of Section 26 of the National Environment Act, added Karunasinghe. The PS Chairman, Secretary, all officials of PS, Kurunegala Health officials and the public participants.