Eco friendly regional development model

As for the formulation of ecologically viable projects, a concept called River Basin has gained currency internationally. In conventional approaches, man-made components such as roads, highways were the nuclei around which projects were formulated and the main focus was emeconomic development. This approach has now proven to be unsustainable.

By Mahinda Panapitiya
Resident of Gampaha District

Introduction

Our natural ecosystem is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Therefore, in parallel to reducing the number of members Local Governments (LG) as suggested by the President, the boundaries of LG could also be changed to address preservation of our ecosystem. Currently, we simply follow starlight lines laid down by the British to define those boundaries. Those straight lines have no “muscle” to motivate people to protect the ecosystems in their districts. However, it is possible to define those boundaries using rivers in the provinces as a guide.

River Basins in Sri Lanka

This method called “River Basin Management approach”. With that approach, it is also possible to develop indicators to evaluate the performance of those LG members, especially in relation to their role in preserving the natural ecosystems under their command.

Background

One of the main issues presently being experienced in urban areas such as the Western Province is that its natural eco system is becoming deteriorated at an alarmingly rapid rate due to poorly planned land use practices. Natural streams which were used as bathing places about 50 years back are now polluted beyond use. Even the Fish Couture has vanished. Catchment areas of those natural streams such as Attanagalu Oya basin are also being fragmented into small plots due to rapid urbanization thereby severely altering the basin characters related water retention capacities. For example, in some areas the ground water table in Gampaha District is being dropped down at an alarming rate. In addition, small tributaries which were perennial nature about 20 years back replenishing streams such as Attanaugalu Oya, are gradually becoming dry, limiting their water flows only to rainy periods while causing flash floods, during heavy rains. Cultivations of other crops in highlands are also at declining phase because of the lowering of ground water tables due to unplanned land use practices.

In addition, Quality of Ground Water adjacent to Industrial Zones such as Ekala is presently being affected to a level beyond use. Wetlands bordering flood plains which serve as natural filters purifying the local water sources are being slowly disappeared due to unplanned development activities. Rice cultivation practices in the valleys replenishing the ground water aquifer in the past are also now gradually declining though the landscape is still intact and available for future agriculture development work.

River Basing Concept

As for the formulation of ecologically viable projects, a concept called River Basin has gained currency internationally. In conventional approaches, man-made components such as roads, highways were the nuclei around which projects were formulated and the main focus was emeconomic development. This approach has now proven to be unsustainable.

In the new River Basin Approach, Features of the Natural Environment such as Streams, Wetlands etc. are also treated in equal terms in formulating development models & political of boundaries for LGs. For example, for regions such as Gampaha District, the Attanagalu Oya (AO) should be the nucleus around which the LG boundaries should be conceptualized. In this approach, preservation and upgrading ecological assets which have impact on the AO, would become necessary pre requisite before launching any new development programme within the LG areas.

Role of the community

The proposed development project by LGs focusing Gampaha District could be treated as a pilot project for the rest of the country demonstrating how a region could be economically developed in environmentally friendly mode through effective community participation, Lands within the Basin of Attanagalu Oya, which is the main water source in the region are very fertile and ideal for rice cultivation as well as for other crops such as Coconut, Rubber, Pineapple and Banana. It has a unique micro climatic condition which is ideal for sensitive crops such as Beatles.

In introducing concepts related to preservation of nature, the spiritual background of the stakeholder communities also plays a very vital role. Buddhism as a religion is well known for its role in promoting environmental preservation. Therefore, the numerous Buddhist Centers spread within the region such as Attanagalla Temple could also play a leading role during the initial mobilisation phase of the programme as well as during the implementation phase to maintain continuous supports of the communities. The target area for the proposed pilot demonstration is also well known for its high caliber Human Resource Base having its own identity with good leadership and intellectual qualities. Most of professionals in high-ranking positions in the government sector as well as in private sector spread throughout Sri Lanka are from Siyana Korale located within this new LG area.

Suggested methodology to mobilise the programme

1. Establishment of Implementation Agency which is of multidisciplinary nature (Environment, Agriculture, Irrigation, Urban Development, Land Use Planning, Landscape Architecture, Sociologists) to operate at Provincial Levels under direct supervision of the Central Government

2. Appointment of a multidisciplinary Panel comprising of expertise during the planning phase (All the expertise for this step such as Social Scientists, Ecologists, Water Resource/ Irrigation experts, Agriculturist, Land Use Planners and Landscape Architects, GIS/IT experts, Communication Experts,etc. are available not only from the region itself but also from other countries such as US, Japan.

3. Literature Survey to compile already collected data, studies, Master Plans etc.

4. Preparation of proposals for funding for the next steps. In case if it is necessary, it is easy to tap international funding sources for this type of intervention. – Feasibility Studies and Design for implementation within next 10 years.

5. Conduct Awareness Programmes / Concept Papers in simple language so that Local Stakeholders including Politician could understand the importance of the river Basin approach.

Conclusion

The main goal of the proposed development work should be to bring the region to the stage prevailed at 50 years back environmentally while developing the region economically to its maximum productive level at least in 2027. For this mission, there is a need to synergize the total resource base (Human, Land, Water) within the region effectively based on lessons learnt from other River Basin projects such as Mahaweli Programme.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently requested the Asian Development Bank to set up a university in Sri Lanka to address climatic issues. The concept proposed in this article could be used as a tool to identify right academics for that university by calling proposals from the candidates who wish to serve that university.