By
Renton de Alwis
Written
in late 2010, this perhaps provides another baseline of where we are in our
efforts at conserving our forests. A 2013 Budget states that the policy of
government is to enhance the current 29% the forest cover to 35%.
Clearing
the land and growing of tea in areas around our most valued virgin rainforest
and natural heritage of the Sinharaja, is observed and reported to cause
changes in the forest’s climatic conditions. At a time when we seek long-term
sustainable growth, even minor impacts on the Singharaja in particular and our
other forests would be a sure recipe for disaster. Such negative impacts should
not be thought of as being minor, for they are irreversible.
We must not forget that trees, forests and the water resources they generate to be the very essence of life itself. While some are actively working to reforest areas linking patches of rainforests to bring them to life again, there are others who are in it for the short-term, seeking fast riches in logging, dealing in rare genes or encroaching with unsuitable modes of land use.
There is talk of thousands of acres of land in the East being cleared of its forest cover, in a reported attempt to establish large cashew and other fruit plantations, even creating a tussle between the centre and the province. While we discuss these as issues of governance and attempt to determine whose right it is to allocate land and benefit from it, it will be prudent for the highest in the land to immediately put a stop to any felling of trees outside of a very tight and well-managed forestry and plantation plan for all ofSri Lanka
Need to Minimise Uncertainty
Long years ago as a student of conservation economics, I learnt that the most effective instrument available to ensure long- term sustainable development is to minimise uncertainty. While a certain degree of uncertainty will always prevail, what governments, policy makers, strategic planners and project implementers should strive to do, we were taught; is to guide policies to strengthen the belief people have of their institutions and governance structures, to give them a sense of security and a genuine feeling of being in it for the long-term.
The President has hinted that he will seek a fresh mandate from the people around November this year, to enable establish a more effective and desirable base to minimise uncertainties prevalent in the current institutions, structures and instruments of governance. Thus it is fair to assume, that there will be a relatively high degree of uncertainty created among some of those exercising influence in the current governance structures within the next few months, leading to attempts at seeking shortcut ways to riches. It is possible that such a situation would denude our natural resource base rapidly, even resulting in irreversible outcomes. Having proper safeguards in place to avoid such a situation should therefore also be a prioritised initiative.
A new beginning
We have ended thirty years of deep uncertainty and paved the way for establishing a lasting peace, though a lot more hard and determined work needs to be done on that front. We now also have the good news of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan facility being made available this week, after a long drawn process. The rationale for it to be given to Sri Lanka, with the backing of the majority of IMF member countries, is because the world sees the potential of this nature rich land to rebuild itself to where it deserves to be. Moving beyond the negative expectations of many, the loan facility will now give us, as a nation, the ability to clear up obligations and focus on issues beyond those of short-term survival of the economy. Our leadership can now confidently work on minimising uncertainty by strengthening its mandate, stabilising institutions of governance at all levels, resettling all internally displaced Sri Lankans, taking on long-term infrastructure building, shaping our education, effective establishment of the rule of law, ensuring security, safety and freedom of expression for all citizens and better management and conservation of our resources. It should give us the ability as a nation to work on the sustainable development model we seek, where widest possible participation of the people in development will be sought.
Empowerment of the Many
While the dominant growth models of the world focussed on the creation of wealth faster though the entrepreneurship of a class that held exclusive access to capital resources, there is the alternative possible of a slower but a more profound and sustainable model that is based on enhancing the productivity and empowerment of the many. Given the unprecedented challenges the world faces today of global warming, food and water crisis, increased poverty, a depressed economy, aging of population, frequent incidence of pandemics etc., it is indeed time that we looked at alternative ways of facing them. The need perhaps is to stop galloping in unreal spaces of glitzy ways of living to getting closer to the real spaces of nature through prudent management of our water, soil, forest, renewable energy and people resources.
The emphasis in the current model articulated by the leadership inSri Lanka Sri Lanka
Need to Listen
Why we must dwell deep, understand and envision the thoughts of our leadership, with open minds and without prejudice, is to enable us not only to critique, share and support a shared vision and direction, but more importantly, to hold the Head of State, other people’s representatives and the government machinery responsible and accountable for its effective delivery of sustainable development through good strong governance at all times.
Useful web addresses:
We must not forget that trees, forests and the water resources they generate to be the very essence of life itself. While some are actively working to reforest areas linking patches of rainforests to bring them to life again, there are others who are in it for the short-term, seeking fast riches in logging, dealing in rare genes or encroaching with unsuitable modes of land use.
There is talk of thousands of acres of land in the East being cleared of its forest cover, in a reported attempt to establish large cashew and other fruit plantations, even creating a tussle between the centre and the province. While we discuss these as issues of governance and attempt to determine whose right it is to allocate land and benefit from it, it will be prudent for the highest in the land to immediately put a stop to any felling of trees outside of a very tight and well-managed forestry and plantation plan for all of
Need to Minimise Uncertainty
Long years ago as a student of conservation economics, I learnt that the most effective instrument available to ensure long- term sustainable development is to minimise uncertainty. While a certain degree of uncertainty will always prevail, what governments, policy makers, strategic planners and project implementers should strive to do, we were taught; is to guide policies to strengthen the belief people have of their institutions and governance structures, to give them a sense of security and a genuine feeling of being in it for the long-term.
The President has hinted that he will seek a fresh mandate from the people around November this year, to enable establish a more effective and desirable base to minimise uncertainties prevalent in the current institutions, structures and instruments of governance. Thus it is fair to assume, that there will be a relatively high degree of uncertainty created among some of those exercising influence in the current governance structures within the next few months, leading to attempts at seeking shortcut ways to riches. It is possible that such a situation would denude our natural resource base rapidly, even resulting in irreversible outcomes. Having proper safeguards in place to avoid such a situation should therefore also be a prioritised initiative.
A new beginning
We have ended thirty years of deep uncertainty and paved the way for establishing a lasting peace, though a lot more hard and determined work needs to be done on that front. We now also have the good news of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan facility being made available this week, after a long drawn process. The rationale for it to be given to Sri Lanka, with the backing of the majority of IMF member countries, is because the world sees the potential of this nature rich land to rebuild itself to where it deserves to be. Moving beyond the negative expectations of many, the loan facility will now give us, as a nation, the ability to clear up obligations and focus on issues beyond those of short-term survival of the economy. Our leadership can now confidently work on minimising uncertainty by strengthening its mandate, stabilising institutions of governance at all levels, resettling all internally displaced Sri Lankans, taking on long-term infrastructure building, shaping our education, effective establishment of the rule of law, ensuring security, safety and freedom of expression for all citizens and better management and conservation of our resources. It should give us the ability as a nation to work on the sustainable development model we seek, where widest possible participation of the people in development will be sought.
Empowerment of the Many
While the dominant growth models of the world focussed on the creation of wealth faster though the entrepreneurship of a class that held exclusive access to capital resources, there is the alternative possible of a slower but a more profound and sustainable model that is based on enhancing the productivity and empowerment of the many. Given the unprecedented challenges the world faces today of global warming, food and water crisis, increased poverty, a depressed economy, aging of population, frequent incidence of pandemics etc., it is indeed time that we looked at alternative ways of facing them. The need perhaps is to stop galloping in unreal spaces of glitzy ways of living to getting closer to the real spaces of nature through prudent management of our water, soil, forest, renewable energy and people resources.
The emphasis in the current model articulated by the leadership in
Need to Listen
Most
of us also need to listen to, read and understand the various policy directions
our President as Head of State has articulated. Some of the thoughts may seem
alien or even irrational to those among us, who are accustomed to now dominant
growth models and have not paused to think of the possibility of alternatives.
In my mind, this situation is further aggravated by the dichotomy we face in
having a duality in our media communication presentations that predominantly
shape our thinking. As a follower of bi-lingual media exposure both in the
print and electronic forms, I see almost two different faces of Sri Lanka
Holding
Accountable
Why we must dwell deep, understand and envision the thoughts of our leadership, with open minds and without prejudice, is to enable us not only to critique, share and support a shared vision and direction, but more importantly, to hold the Head of State, other people’s representatives and the government machinery responsible and accountable for its effective delivery of sustainable development through good strong governance at all times.
Useful web addresses:
Sinharaja
Rainforest - www.environmentlanka.com/sinharaja.html
Institute
for Alternative Futures - www.altfutures.com
Speeches
of the President of Sri
Lanka
Sri Lanka as an Earth Lung - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmanmW0gaMM
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