Development jab for North-East

Nipuni WIMALAPALA

After many years of conflict and economic, social, cultural collapse, the Northern and Eastern provinces are opening up for development with increased investments in road and building construction, telecommunication and reestablishment of public administration to stimulate investment and growth in a sustainable manner.

This new era of development is up against the issue of scares natural resources which are precious as well as essential for the developmental process itself.

According to Additional secretary, Regional Development, Economic Development Ministry, Nihal Somaweera, the ministry has already undertaken demining, housing for IDPs, infrastructure development, water supply, construction of fisheries harbours, several major road projects, reestablishment of government buildings, Jaffna power transmitting project and many other smaller projects.

In an interview with Daily News he revealed that the government has spent a large amount of money starting from last year, on development. “There are many development projects on going and nine out of ten are in the North and East.”

Minimizing adverse effects

However different issues emerge in a development process. “The major problem is how to reduce the environmental impact of development,” said Nihal Somaweera. It is obvious that the negative effects on the environment cannot be totally eliminated and development cannot be put on hold to preserve natural resources. “We have to work out the best way to minimize adverse effects on the environment.”

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has done a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which includes all issues regarding environment and how to mitigate the negative impacts of development on the environment,” said Somaweera.

The different partners in the process contribute to minimize the negative effects. “We are observing the sanctuaries and other environmentally significant sites in the region. We prioritize the most valuable areas and take steps to conserve them.”

He said that the SEA keeps a tab on the forest cover, archaeological sites, wild life and wetlands that are to be conserved.

Scientific methods

Some of the sanctuary lands belong to civilians who lived there before war broke out. Now they are reverting to their old way of life and want their own lands back. This badly affects the bird life for which the sanctuaries were designated in the first place. - Prof Sarath Kotagama

The Economic Development Ministry has undertaken demining, housing for IDPs, infrastructure development, water supply, construction of fisheries harbours, several major road projects, reestablishment of government buildings, Jaffna power transmitting project and many other smaller projects There are many development projects on going and nine out of ten are in the North and East   - Nihal Somaweera

Areas of high environmental value in the North and East, such as elephant corridors, should remain untouched scientific methods can play a major role in north-east development. Unique geographical features of the island re-enforce the development process - Dr Ananda Mallawatantri

According to Assistant Resident Representative, Team leader of Environment, Energy and Disaster management, UNDP Sri Lanka, Dr Ananda Mallawatantri, scientific methods can play a major role in north-east development. Unique geographical features of the island re-enforce the development process.

“Obviously, we cannot preserve all the resources as they are now, but we still can minimize the harm.” Dr Mallawatantri explained that the areas of high environmental value in the North and East should remain untouched. “This is why we have to first prioritize resources. For example, elephant corridors are highly sensitive areas that must not be meddled with.”

According to him, this is the ideal time for development, after overcoming the three decade old war. “Development is really essential in the North and East. Now we are experiencing a new era in which development has become a must.”

He also emphasises the fact that it is not a simple process and should be conducted scientifically. “There must be scientific researches in order to find out the best places to be utilised for developmental activity.” Another essential factor is educating the people living in these areas.

Stakeholders

“A scientific method of development requires a lot of input.” He explained that there are many stakeholders in the process, such as the Economic Development Ministry, Environmental Ministry, Disaster Management Ministry, Resettlement Ministry, Defense Ministry, Archaeology Department, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Central Environmental Authority, Wildlife Conservation Department and Forest Department among others.

“In most cases there can occur conflicts between their different plans. It is necessary to resolve these conflicts and to come up with a unanimous resolution,” said Dr Mallawatantri.

Central Environmental Authority undertakes mitigation of negative environmental impacts. Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment is the key tool used to carry out sustainable development.

It is concerned with finding answers to basic but essential questions such as whether there is sufficient ground and surface water for industry and human settlement, what building material could be sourced, which forests, coastal, wildlife, wetland and archaeological sites should be conserved, how would this add value to the proposed development plans, especially tourism in the area.

In the process of seeking answers to these issues, the Integrated Strategic Environment Assessments (ISEA) will create space for greater engagement of all stakeholders in a process of informed decision making on the sustainable use of the natural resource base for accelerated development.

According to Mallawathantri, Sri Lanka has unique possibilities to promote development while conserving natural resources.

“We have prepared different types of maps for easy identification of geographic areas that highlight importance of resources.” He says that these maps facilitate sustainable development.

Land ownership

According to the Head of Zoology Department, University of Colombo Prof Sarath Kotagama, the development process in Northern and Eastern provinces should be long term. “It needs at least 10 years,” says Prof Kotagama.

Concurring what Dr Mallawathantri said, Prof Kotagama says that the ISEA is the best method and should be properly administered in order to reach a sustainable development. “There are many environmental issues. It is necessary to consider them in a sensitive and a scientific manner,” said Prof Kotagama.

Prof Kotagama identifies land ownership issues as one of the major problems. Private property cannot be used for government projects. Another serious issue is that the newly designated sanctuaries such as the Vankalai are under immediate threat.

“Some of the sanctuary lands belong to civilians who lived there before war broke out. Now they are reverting to their old way of life and want their own lands back,” explained Prof Kotagama. This badly affects the bird life for which the sanctuaries were designated in the first place. He reiterated the importance of making well informed decisions regarding the issue of land ownership.

Unplanned structures

North and East are highly damaged areas. Many large scale construction projects have already commenced. Prof Kotagama explained that unplanned structures pose a threat to the natural environment.

“Moreover the social set up in these areas is very different. People must be educated on what is taking place.” Garbage is another major environmental hazard in the North and East. There are huge amounts of garbage especially in Jaffna. Garbage disposed of by travellers create considerable pollution.

“This should be stopped. Railway construction is to start soon and forests obviously have to be cut down. But this must be done in a systematic and sustainable manner,” says Prof Kotagama.

Development is a must in the North and East so is minimizing environmental degradation. The development process must be continued in an environmental friendly manner.