tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245109362023-06-20T18:35:54.616+05:30Environment Sri LankaDiscussions, articles on Ecotourism, Biodiversity and Environmental issues of Sri LankaDr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-46695359213777980212007-11-01T22:31:00.000+05:302007-11-01T22:37:38.262+05:30Is it Economics sans Environment or Environment sans Economics?<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Any (economic) activity is likely to involve the consumption of resources. Economics, among other matters, is to keep the consumption levels within the <b style="">regenerative</b> (and <b style="">carrying)</b> capacity of the earth. Present “development” model entails the consumption of increasing amount of entropic capital. However, according to the “sustainability” model, one can get away with the consumption of a lesser amount of entropic capital. Hence, there is no possibility of “development” sans “sustainability”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p>It is true that Universe will not last for ever. Universe is also subjected to condition of <i style="">Uppada </i>(becoming), <i style="">Thiti</i> (existence), and <i style="">Banga</i> (death). It is possible that Universe will be without humans. In that case, Economics pertaining to humans will be irrelevant. However, one can be guided by the traditional Sinhalese saying “<b style="">i<i style="">ra handa pawathinakan</i></b>”. That is, “…..until the sun and the moon last”.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p>Sustainability does not mean that one has to use only technologies which existed three hundred years ago. It does not mean that one has to make a large compromise on the <b style=""><i style="">well-being</i></b> of a person. However, it will definitely make appreciable compromise on the so call “<b style="">standard of living</b>”. Besides, present so called “standard of living” tends to be associated with diseases like Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary Thrombosis and even possibly Cancer.<span style=""> </span>Thus, it is matter whether the so call “standard of living” is worth the price we pay for it.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p>Until recently, agriculture was controlled by <b style="">high-energy (consuming)</b> countries using cheap “oil” and massive subsidies. Presently, there is an (unsuccessful/ partially successful?) attempt by the high energy countries to produce “oil” from agriculture because of the high oil prices. It appears that agriculture has been liberated from the grip of the high-energy countries. Of course, one has to pay a heavy price for his freedom. One could say that the system has gone a full circle. What is witnessed now is a major structural change taking place in the economy, where one is forced into a more sustainable mode of consumption. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p>It is true that coal can contribute more to pollute, if proper technological measures are not taken. How it is not so much of matter of “oil” vs. “coal” as both contribute to increase in the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. In the case of oil, known supplies will last about another fifty years if the present consumption patterns are followed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p><span style=""></span>However, within the “Sustainability” model;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Oil consumption by the high-energy countries would be curtailed; this will help to preserve the oil reserves for a longer period. It will also reduce the rate of emission of carbon dioxide by these countries. In addition, it will force the adoption of environmental friendly technology. An even more important consideration is that the overall consumption of resources would be curtailed in the high-energy countries.<span style=""> </span><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Some resources will be transferred to very low-energy countries (consuming) which will be helpful in providing with the basic necessities of the relevant communities.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This scheme will be strongly opposed by the so called “developed” countries as it would favor the low-energy countries. However, it is difficult to understand how a person in a low-energy country can be against such a proposal.</p>Incidentally, President Gorge W. Bush, who favors the present development model, says “we will consume and pollute” and “you pay for it”. This is because it is the low-energy countries which will pay a disproportionate amount for environmental degradation, especially for global warming, and not the high-energy countries. <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Life styles of affluent countries are increasingly labeled as non-sustainable. For example, the per capita carbon dioxide emission for <st1:country-region st="on">USA</st1:country-region> is 19.8 metric tons per annum (in 2003) while it is only 0.5 for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <span style=""> </span>The per capita electricity consumption for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> is 14,057 kiloWatt-hours per annum (in 2003) while it is only 407 for a <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Furthermore, the <b style="">Ecological Foot Print </b>of an American is 9.57 hectares (in 2004) whereas it is only 0.88 for a Sri Lankan. The Ecological Foot Print is one of the indicators created to give a measure of the compounding environment problems in the world, although is not a perfect one, is increasingly accepted in Economics.<span style=""> </span>About 60% of the world population lives in <st1:place st="on">Asia</st1:place>, whereas the population in the high-energy countries is only about 20%. <b style="">If the Asians are to follow the economic consumption patterns of the high-energy countries it would be catastrophic</b>. <b style="">Instead, <st1:place st="on">Asia</st1:place> should adapt an alternative economic consumption model and claim leadership in this regard. Others would be compelled to follow.</b> <b style="">This is not an option but a necessity</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p>Incidentally, consider the Nobel (memorial) prize in Economics which is the pinnacle of orthodox economics, has been awarded for work such as on Psychology (Daniel Kahneman - 2002) and Game Theory (Robert J. Aumann - 2005). However, not a single award has been given for work directly related to environmental issues. Is this a case of Economics sans Environment? As far as economic orthodoxy is concerned, one is tempted to say that</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">“Nero is playing the fiddle while <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City> is warming (burning).”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""></span>Finally, it has to be mentioned that no technological advances, especially those pertaining to macroscopic system, can overcome the barriers impose by <b style="">(thermodynamic) entropic</b> consideration. This is true whether it is related to economic activities or otherwise.<span style=""> </span><b style="">That is, technology can postpone the inevitable but it cannot override it</b>.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="">Post by: <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dr Agra T. Wejerathna</span></span><br />Senior Lecturer, Departmen of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka<br /></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1164682436163985502006-11-28T08:24:00.000+05:302006-11-28T08:24:04.516+05:30Teak plantation and agroforestry site<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/environmentlanka/308271834/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/104/308271834_46fe504a23.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/environmentlanka/308271834/">Teak plantation and agroforestry site</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/environmentlanka/">Dr Hiran Amarasekera</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>Young teak plantation at<br /><br />Karagahawewa Farmers Wood lot, Anuradhapura<br /><br />Photo by Rachitha Silva<br /><br />Visit our web site: http://www.environmentlanka.com</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1152985742575963422006-07-15T23:19:00.000+05:302006-07-15T23:19:02.633+05:30Destruction of the Mangrove and Pollution of Lagoon Water in NegomboBy <a href="mailto:%20sven_desilva@yahoo.com">Sven De Silva</a> <br> <br> Attention !!!! To NARA and Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka <br> <br> <b>Save Our Wildlife And Nature!<br> Destruction of the Mangrove and Pollution of the Lagoon Water in Negombo.<br> </b> <br> I wish to inform that the restrictions of the lagoon area in Kurana is being overruled by some commercial companies (eg- “hotel lagoon view”,…ect) which no one<br> is taking action against.<br> <br> The following facts have been clearly visible by the victims,<br> 1. Environmental /wildlife pollution-destruction.<br> 2. Water pollution.<br> 3. Sound (noise) pollution.<br> 4. Destruction of the natural mangrove.<br> 5. Overruled human rights.<br> <br> <b>1. Environmental conservation</b>.<br> The building construction limit of the Negombo lagoon area has been illegally extended by the construction of certain buildings and houses. Some platforms have been constructed by destroying the mangrove. These platforms have been directly constructed in the water area of the lagoon. Main purpose of these platforms are to held parties and weddings, resulting the waste to flow freely into the lagoon for disposal.<br> <br> <b>2. Water pollution.</b><br> It is clearly visible that the drain of the waist water containing soap is directly connected to the lagoon where normally the birds and crabs reside. Many broken liquor bottles and washed waste water are dumped into the lagoon.<br> <br> <b>3. Sound pollution.</b><br> As a result of the ceremonial and other party occasions the surrounding environment is highly polluted by sound. also the use of ceremonial fire crackers the existence of the wild animals are force to leave their natural habitats and are now hiding in surrounding homes and gardens. Also they are having regular music as to keep the hotel guests entertained, which is so loud the nearby resident cant even listen to the TV or to have a conversation is even impossible.<br> <br> <b>4. Destruction of the natural mangrove</b>.<br> The mangrove was cut and cleared gradually without making a sharp distinction to the authorities. And filled with soil over the natural mud and water to gain land for the construction of the buildings.<br> <br> <b>5. Overruled human rights.</b><br> Save the natural habitat for their and our existence and for a bright future. If needed some pictures are available which I can mail. Please forward this email to every possible authority in sri lanka and abroad.<br> <br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1145408390729768292006-04-19T06:29:00.000+05:302006-04-19T06:29:50.773+05:30Code of ethics for research on biodiversity and genetic resoruces
of Sri Lanka<meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> CODE OF ETHICS for Research on Biological Diversity involving access to Genetic Resources of Sri Lanka has been published by <a href="mailto:%20gaminigamage@yahoo.co.uk"><strong>Biodiversity Secretariat</strong></a>, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka. <br> <br> This was compiled by a team of biodiversity experts in Sri Lanka. This gives some guidelines for researchers engaged in research on the biological diversity of Sri Lanka that will involve the transfer of genetic material or metabolites and other extracts of organisms out of the country. <br> <br> Full document can be found in <a href="http://www.environmentlanka.com/biodiv/code-of-ethics-biological-diversity.php">EnvironmentLanka</a> web site.<br> <br> Dr Hiran Amarasekera<br> <br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143822123565350372006-03-31T22:22:00.000+06:002006-03-31T22:22:03.650+06:00Preparation of a Country Environmental Profile for Sri Lanka for
European Union (EU) Sri Lanka economic cooperation<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">S.W. Newman<sup>*<span style=""> </span></sup>and <a href="mailto:%20hemanthir@sltnet.lk">D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe</a><sup>**</sup> </span> </b><br> <sup><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sup><span style="font-size: 11pt;">* <span style=""> </span><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Biology</st1:PlaceName>, <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Leeds</st1:PlaceName>, Leeds L 52 9JT <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span> <br> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">** Department of Forestry & Environmental Science, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Sri Jayewardenepura</st1:PlaceName></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span> <br> <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style=""><br> </span></span> <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ABSTRACT<o:p></o:p></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">A Country Environmental Profile was prepared with the aim to identify and assess environmental issues to be considered during the preparation of a Country Strategy Paper which will directly or indirectly influence European Union (EC) cooperation activities. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><br> <br> </o:p>The approach taken in compiling the profile included a comprehensive literature review, a field trip to some Tsunami affected districts including Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Jaffna Districts and a participatory workshop on environmental potentials for Sri Lanka from 2006 – 2013. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><br> <br> </o:p>The study revealed that among the key environmental issues in the country, Land degradation, deforestation, Degradation of coastal and marine resources, Loss of Biodiversity, Solid Waste Disposal and Surface and ground water pollution are important. <span style=""> </span>In the North East, in addition to these, <span style=""> </span>War has become the major factor affecting development. Although funds are being allocated for development activities after the onset of peace (temporary!) political instability has led to limited investment especially by the private sector. With regard to resources available, issues, opportunities available etc. the country can be largely divided into zones; the coastal zone taking about 24% of the country’s land area, the densely populated resource rich (water, cash crops and minerals) south west quartile surrounded by <span style=""> </span>sparsely populated resource poor land dominated by low returns from subsistence agriculture. The <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">North</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Central</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Province</st1:PlaceType> where there are major irrigation schemes and parts of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Jaffna</st1:City></st1:place> with high value fruit and vegetables. Environmental problems have been made worse on most of the coast by the Tsunami and some Tsunami Rehabilitation methods could exacerbate matters. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><br> <br> </o:p>Among the major recommendations for the Country Strategy, <span style=""> </span>the division of the country into environmental development zones in order to maximize impact and sustainability in poverty reduction and economic cooperation is important. They are Tsunami Affected Areas, Municipalities, Coastal Non Tsunami areas, Areas with irrigation schemes to facilitate high agricultural production, South West Country which has high potential in terms of resources and also threats due to population pressure and the rest of the country having low rainfall and low population density. In each zone the character of the zone, key environmental technologies are described. Among the other recommendations, it was emphasized that economic cooperation between Europe and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:country-region></st1:place> should focus on environmental business and social enterprise and be guided by a study of win:win:win business partnership models. Any area development project should consider organizational development and delegate management approaches rather than purely increasing government capacity. Monitoring the constraints to environmental business partnerships should be a central part of design along with recording<span style=""> </span>livelihood perceptions of important environmental limitations. The housing, road and energy sectors could have the highest impact on poverty elimination linked to the creation of new environmental opportunities. In conclusion, economic cooperation between Europe and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:country-region></st1:place> should focus on environmental business and social enterprise and be guided by a study of win:win:win business partnership models. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><br> <br> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Key words: European Union, Profile, Tsunami, Environment, Strategy<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Professor </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">D.M.S.H.K.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ranasinghe, Dept. of Forestry & Environmental Science, <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Sri Jayewardenepura</st1:PlaceName>, Nugegoda (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:country-region></st1:place>) </span><br> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tel: + 94 11 2 804685 Fax<span style=""> </span>4724395<span style=""> </span></span><br> <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style=""></span>email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:hemanthir@sltnet.lk">hemanthir@sltnet.lk</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143423097852490332006-03-27T07:26:00.000+06:002006-03-27T07:31:37.860+06:00Biological Heritage Workshop on Vertebrate animals of Sri Lanka<A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1304/2542/640/Head_table_kot.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1304/2542/320/Head_table_kot.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='clear:all;float:left;margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor:hand'></A> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143106966882578682006-03-23T15:42:00.000+06:002006-03-23T15:42:46.953+06:00World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka<FONT face=Arial size=2> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -225.3pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Royal </SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman">and sacred cities, cliff top citadels, <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">colonial strongholds, temple caves and virgin forests </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt">- </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">with no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites declared and listed by UNESCO, Sri Lanka is one of Asia's richest treasure troves of both natural and man­made wonders.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 4.55pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -211.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Six of these marvels span some 2,500 years of history - from the sacred city of <B>Anuradhapura</B> and the cave temples of <B>Dambulla</B>, to the magnificent temples and palaces of the royal city of Kandy. The Dutch fortification at Galle has the added distinction of being a <I>living </I>World Heritage Site. But the seventh jewel in Sri Lanka's heritage crown owes nothing to man and everything to nature: the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot, with its own unique eco-system consisting of protected birds, flora and fauna. The country's former royal capital, Kandy, the archaeological sites at Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya - the palace in the sky - form Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle - a world of ancient wonders.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -211.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 20.4pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 8.85pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF SRI LANKA<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 20.4pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 10.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt 3.05in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><FONT size=2>THE SACRED CITY OF ANURADHAPURA<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> (</SPAN>5 BC)</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt 3.05in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>THE MEDIEVAL CAPITAL OF POLONNARUWA<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> (</SPAN>10 AD)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt 3.05in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><FONT size=2>THE CAVE TEMPLES OF DAMBULLA<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> (</SPAN>1 BC)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt 3.05in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><FONT size=2>THE SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS (5 AD)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt 3.05in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><FONT size=2>THE ROYAL CITY OF KANDY<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> (</SPAN>17 AD)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt 3.05in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><FONT size=2>THE DUTCH FORTIFICATIONS AT GALLE<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> (</SPAN>17 AD)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -48.15pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 16.8pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: center 89.25pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN><FONT size=2>THE SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -225.3pt 0pt 0in; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"></FONT><FONT size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Spiritually inspiring, year after year, visitors from around the world make their personal pilgrimages to the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.</SPAN></FONT></P><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143044082277583752006-03-22T22:14:00.003+06:002006-03-22T22:14:42.283+06:00Status of Marine Mammals in Sri Lanka<meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <span class="f1"><b>A. D. Ilangakoon</b><b><br> </b></span> <div class="aC"><span class="f2"><b>Member, Cetacean Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission</b><b> <br> </b></span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f1">Sri Lanka’s territorial waters are rich in marine mammal fauna with high species richness and year round abundance. However, present knowledge about this diverse segment of mammalian fauna is very limited due to a lack of dedicated research on the subject. In the scientific literature, there are records of stranded whales and museum specimens from as far back as the 1889 (Fernando, 1912; Deraniyagala, 1960). In the mid-20</span><span class="f1">th</span><span class="f1"> century interactions with fisheries are mentioned for the first time (Lantz and Gunasekera, 1955). The first scientific records of live cetaceans are documented only after about 1980 although travelers and historians have referred to whales in the waters around the island as far back as the 14</span><span class="f1">th</span><span class="f1"> century. More recent research carried out in the last two decades have resulted in most of what is known about species diversity, threats and conservation issues. The occurrence and hunting of the dugong in Sri Lanka’s waters appears in the literature in the late 19</span><span class="f1">th</span><span class="f1"> century (Haley, 1884; Nevill 1885) but there has been very little recent work done on this globally threatened species. <br> </span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f1"><b>Taxonomic Classification for Species in Sri Lanka’s Waters:</b><b><br> </b></span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f1">Based on current taxonomy 28 species of marine mammals within the two Orders of Cetacea and Sirenia have been recorded from the waters around Sri Lanka. This species list is based on specimens obtained from strandings on the coastline (Deraniyagala, 1948, 1960, 1963, 1965b; Leatherwood and Reeves, 1989, Ilangakoon, 2002), specimens from the fisheries bycatch and direct take (Prematunga </span><span class="f1"><i>et. al</i></span><span class="f1">., 1985; Leatherwood and Reeves 1989; Leatherwood, 1990, Dayaratna and Joseph, 1993; Ilangakoon, 1997, 2002; Ilangakoon </span><span class="f1"><i>et. al</i></span><span class="f1">., 2000a, 200b) and sightings from offshore surveys (Leatherwood </span><span class="f1"><i>et. al</i></span><span class="f1">. 1984; Alling, 1986; Alling </span><span class="f1"><i>et. al</i></span><span class="f1">., 1991; Ilangakoon, 2000b, 2002; Anonymous, 2003). The list is by no means complete as a new species for our waters </span><span class="f1"><i>Mesoplodon densirostris</i></span><span class="f1"> (Blainville’s beaked whale) was identified as recently as 2002 (Ilangakoon, 2002; Ilangakoon, 2003). <br> </span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f1">Of the total of 28 species, 27 belong to the Order Cetacea, are placed within the two Suborders Mysticeti and Odontoceti and come under the six families of Balaenopteridae, Physeteridae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Delphinidae and Phocoenidae. The single species in the Order Sirenia is the Dugong (</span><span class="f1"><i>Dugong dugon</i></span><span class="f1">) belonging to the family Dugongidae.<br> <br> </span><span class="f0"><i>Based on Paper presented at Workshop organized by Young Biologists' Association Sri Lanka and Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources on December 2005 at University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda</i><br> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143044075323531292006-03-22T22:14:00.002+06:002006-03-22T22:14:35.326+06:00National Seminar on Our Biological Heritage<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN-AU">National Seminar on Our Biological Heritage<o:p></o:p><br> (Current status of species diversity in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:country-region></st1:place>)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p>Two seminars were conducted in order to promote expert knowledge on identification of species to general public and school children in Sinhala medium. The major objective was to improve the awareness on Sri Lankan Fauna and Flora among young generation (School children, university students and other interested parties), so that they can be involved in conservation and management of our biological heritage.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p>This seminar series was organized jointly by <span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Department of Forestry and Environment Science, <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Sri Jayewardenepura</st1:PlaceName>, Biodiversity secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, IUCN, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:country-region></st1:place> and Young Biologists Association. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p>Two seminars were conducted on following dates from 8.30 am – 4.00 pm at Forestry Auditorium, Department of Forestry and Environment Science, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Sri Jayewardenepura</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Workshop 1 - Vertebrates</span></strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (29 Novmber 2005) </span></strong></span> <p class="storycontentcolor"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Fishes - Prof Upali Amarasinghe<br> Amphibians - Mr Kelum Manamendraarchchi<br> Reptiles - Mr Anslem de Silva<br> Birds - Prof Sarath Kotagama<br> Land Mammals - Dr Devaka Weerakoon<br> Marine Mammals - Ms. Anouk Ilangakoon </span></p> <p class="storycontentcolor"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Workshop 2 – Invertebrates (</span></strong><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><st1:date month="12" day="13" year="2005" w:st="on"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">13 December 2005)</span></strong></st1:date></span></b></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Marine invertebrates - Dr Malik Fernando <br> Insect diversity - Dr Anura Wijesekera<br> Ants - Dr Shirani Dias <br> Bees - Dr. Inoka (WAIP) Karunaratne and Prof Jayanthi Edirisinghe<br> Corals - Mr Arjan Rajasooriya (Not contacted yet)<br> Spiders - Dr Channa Bambaradeniya<br> Butterflies - Mr Nalin Perera<br> Mollusca - Dr Kithsiri Ranawana </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">For details visit the web site: <a href="http://www.environmentlanka.com/biodiv/biological_heritage_workshop.php">http://www.environmentlanka.com/biodiv/biological_heritage_workshop.php</a></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143044069751788742006-03-22T22:14:00.001+06:002006-03-22T22:14:29.753+06:00Status of Spider Fauna in Sri Lanka<span class="f0">Channa N. B. Bambaradeniya</span><span class="f0"></span><span class="f0">, </span><span class="f0">Suresh P. </span><span class="f0">B</span><span class="f0">enjamin</span><span class="f0"></span><span class="f0"> </span><span class="f0">and </span><span class="f0">L</span><span class="f0">.</span><span class="f0"> D. C. </span><span class="f0">Bhathiya Kekulandala</span><span class="f0"></span><br> <span class="f0"></span><span class="f0">IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Regional Species Programme, 53, Horton Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:E-mail:cnb@iucnsl.org">E-mail:cnb@iucnsl.org</a><br> </span> <div class="aC"><span class="f0"></span><span class="f0">Uni</span><span class="f0">versity of California, Berkeley, </span><span class="f0">Insect <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 176) none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Biology</span> Division </span><span class="f0">–</span><span class="f0"> ESPM</span><span class="f0">, 201 Wellman Hall #3112 </span><span class="f0">Berkeley, CA 94720-3112.</span><br> </div> <br> <div class="aL"><span class="f0"><b>Introduction</b><b><br> </b></span></div> <div class="aJ"><span class="f0">Spiders are one of the most diverse arthropod groups, and an important component in terrestrial ecosystems. They are valuable indicators of endemism, and for early warning of ecological change. They are capable of responding more rapidly to changes in the environment than long-living vertebrates and plants. Many spiders in Sri Lanka could be used as focal species in the complex process of deciding which habitats afford conservation priority. They also function as important biological control agents of insect pests, especially in agricultural habitats. In this review we will highlight the previous research work on spiders in Sri Lanka, their species richness and distribution. <br> </span></div> <br> <div class="aL"><span class="f0"><b>Taxonomy of spiders in Sri Lanka</b><b><br> </b></span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f0">In general spiders in Sri Lanka are very poorly known. Scientific documentation of spiders in Sri Lanka began with the work of Pickard-Cambridge (1869). The last comprehensive study was conducted more than a century ago by Pocock (1900). A few foreign researchers worked on a few spider families in Sri Lanka there after (Brignoli, 1972, 1975; van Helsdingen, 1985). Involvement of local researchers in spider taxonomy in Sri Lanka began with the works of Wijesinghe (1983, 1987) who conducted a preliminary survey and a review on the group. He stated that a little over 400 species of spiders are known from Sri Lanka, with an estimation of the actual total number to be close to 1000. The 1990s onwards has been a period of renowned interest on spider taxonomy in Sri Lanka, with several new species being described (Benjamin, 1999, 2000, 2001; Benjamin and Jocque, 2000; Wijesinghe, 1997, 1999a, 1999b). More recently, Bambaradeniya (2001) documented seven spider taxa (two species and five genera occurring in the oriental region) that are new records to Sri Lanka, from a rice field ecosystem at Bathalagoda.<br> </span></div> <br> <div class="aL"><span class="f0"><b>Species richness of spiders in Sri Lanka</b><b><br> </b></span></div> <div class="aJ"><span class="f0">Based on a review of these recent advances on spiders, it could be stated that the Sri Lankan spider fauna consists of about 488 known species, under 45 families (Benjamin and Bambaradeniya, 2005). However, the actual number might be even exceeding 4000 species. Among the total species described so far, the Mygalomorphs (commonly referred to as ‘tarantulas’ or ‘bird-eating spiders’) consist of 19 species, under five families. They are dominated by the Family Theraphosidae, which is represented by 10 species currently described from the island (Smith and Kirk, 2002). The </span><span class="f0">balance consists</span><span class="f0"> of Araneomorphs, which are dominated by the jumping spiders (Family Salticidae – 104 species). In general even the described taxa are very poorly known. Many species and even new genera await discovery and description. The taxonomical identity of most known species is uncertain as these were described without modern taxonomical standards and/or were based on juvenile specimens. Further, field work, mainly in the south western and central highlands and detailed systematic studies will be needed to provide a more complete picture of the spider fauna of Sri Lanka. <br> <br> Based on Paper presented at Workshop organized by Young Biologists' Association Sri Lanka and Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources on December 2005 at University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda<br> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143044064639901912006-03-22T22:14:00.000+06:002006-03-22T22:14:24.653+06:00SOME ASPECTS OF ECOLOGY OF ENDEMIC FRESHWATER FISHES OF SRI LANKA<div class="aL"> <div class="aJ"><span class="f2"><b>Upali S. Amarasinghe, R.R.A.R. Shirantha and M.J.S. Wijeyaratne</b><b><br> </b></span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f2"><i>Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya</i><i>, Kelaniya 11600</i><i><br> </i></span></div> <div class="aJ"><span class="f2"><i>Sri Lanka</i><i><br> </i></span></div> <br> <span class="f0"><i>Abstract of the Paper presented at the National Workshop on Conservation of Vertebrate Animals in Sri Lanka, 28 May 2004, Colombo, IUCN Sri Lanka and Ministry of Environment.</i><i><br> </i></span></div> <br> <div class="aJ"><span class="f2">Sri Lanka supports a diverse freshwater fishes, about 48% of which are endemic. Most of these endemic freshwater fish species occur in the hill country forested streams of the wet zone of the country. There are sophisticated interactions between fish species in a fish community and its environment for food, space and/or spawning. Also as evident from the <span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 176) none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">biology</span> of cyprinids in hill streams in Sri Lanka, most of the endemic frshwater fish species species in Sri Lanka tend to show well-defined niche segregation and ecological adaptations. Any direct human influenece that works on this web of inter-relationships or through large disturbances such as erosion, pollution or climatic factors, are therefore likely to have far-reaching and largely unpredictable effects. However, several anthropogenic activites such as deforestation, gem mining and uncontrolled use of agrochemicals, pose significant threats to survival of many endemic freshwater fish species in Sri Lanka. Exploitation of endemic fish species from the wild for ornamental fish trade is also a major cause of decline of their populations. Further, accidental introduction of clown knife fish (</span><span class="f2"><i>Chitala ornatus</i></span><span class="f2">) and cleaner fish (</span><span class="f2"><i>Ptrygoplichthys multiradiatus</i></span><span class="f2">), which poses threats to biodiversity of freshwater fishes in Sri Lanka, is an indirect adverse effect of ornamental fish trade. Althogh some introductions of exotic fish species such as African cichlids, most notably </span><span class="f2"><i>Oreochromis mossambicus</i></span><span class="f2"> and </span><span class="f2"><i>O. niloticus</i></span><span class="f2">, have socio-economic benefits and do not pose any significant threats to frehwater fish biodiversity in Sri Lanka, effective strategies should be implemented to control transfer and introduction of aquatic organisms. Scanty and incomplete information on the ecology of endemic freshwater fish species is of little use for revising legal framework pertaining to their conservation and to support the decision making process in the approval of development project proposals. An effective means for rapid assessment of conservation status is therefore necessary for the endemic freshwater fish species in Sri Lanka.<br> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143006387983924432006-03-22T11:46:00.000+06:002006-03-22T11:46:27.986+06:00Sinharaja world heritage forest in Sri Lanka<a href="http://www.environmentlanka.com/ecotour/sinharaja.html">Sinharaja world heritage Forest </a> is a unique rain forest on the island which apart from very limited use by local people has been left largely undisturbed. <br> <br> Biodiversity of the forest is very high, a staggering 830 of Sri Lanka's endemic species of flora and fauna are found here, including myriad birds, reptiles and insects, while no less than sixty percent of the reserve's trees are also endemic to the country and some endemic to the Sinharaja Forest itself. <br> <br> There are two <strong>entrances</strong> to the forest. Most popular one is on the north side of the forest at Kudawa (see <a href="http://www.environmentlanka.com/biodiv/Sinharaja_trailMap.html">Sinharaja trail map</a>), and the other one is at Mederipitiya about 11km east of Deniyaya.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>Dr. Hiran Amarasekerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988028276424542318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24510936.post-1143004506045480722006-03-22T11:15:00.000+06:002006-03-22T11:15:06.050+06:00Biodiversity of Sri Lanka<meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> Sri Lanka has the highest <a href="http://www.environmentlanka.com/biodiv.html"><strong>Biodiversity</strong></a> per 10,000 square km in Asia. It is one of the 25 Biodiversity hot spots of the world. A noteworthy feature of Sri Lanka's biodiversity is the remarkable high proportion of endemic species among its flora and fauna: 23% of the flowering plants and 16% of the mammals in the island are endemic. Sri Lanka has a wide range of topographic and climatic variation and this contributes to the special features of its biodiversity.<br><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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