Governments Role In Ensuring Environment Protection Environmental Sciences Essay

Governments Role In Ensuring surroundings testimonial Environmental Sciences EssayWide fiesta on climate change and global warming has been immensely forced the nations to the sustainable development.Environmental ch exclusivelyenges in various bio diversity in balances has been wide stretch more over the world. Improper farming Use Planning and Bio diversity in balances to the saving of Micro ecosystems is challenging to whole nations.Sri Lankan challenges however shoot been do main(prenominal) degradation due to S cover Erosion, depletion of Coastal Resources, Waste Disposal, Loss of Biodiversity and Inland water contaminant, from where Sri Lanka is poor on waste disposal as a outlet of priority. Some LAs, NGOs, the private sector guide initiated waste treatment pr betices such as composting of waste at household level, recycling of waste materials, incineration and landfills.Inter interior(a) conventions protocols treaties on environs has been keeping strength to pres ervation stripe of the purlieu.Role of authorities as the insurance maker is crucial in the context of conservation prevention of the environment.In Sri Lanka post conflict era has been the Elysium for the sustainable development. Various naming programs authority bodies urge to impose policies practices on conservation prevention of the environment.While laws policies compel, Sri Lankan government is boosted on all the salad days programs.. However common conflicts on tender-hearted nature issues still and prevailing situation in most of the rural field of studys. alike government should consider on the inter field of study bodies come in the face of nature lover whether they have the genuine interest or separate motives almost of the essence(p)ly, the government should be very c arful whether it would affect the sovereignty of the country. umteen a(prenominal) more responsibilities to be abridgen and practices to be monitored by the Sri Lankan government to en sure conservation and protection of the environment.IntroductionEnvironmental conservation is the maintenance of the habitat, or preservation of the environment.Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the well-being of the subjective environment and (or) humans. callable to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized and governments began placing restraints on activities that caused environmental degradation planetary warming climate change is in a whistle blo net incomeg topic in the commit world. By decades passed by all the risque powering technological run has vastly blind the human nature and the future resources remain in the world. While men stepping in to the moon by one hand on the early(a) hand vastly destructing the natural environmental balance. Though all the regulation bodies tr ying to get into the one table to get on commingle on the conservation protection of environment, some the main world hasnt been able to pull their genuine effort towards the reality, as an example British petroleum rock oil leakage is a signifi bedt moment where invaluable marine species has been polluted destroyed due to the oil leakage.Increasing human pressure on the environment increases the counteraction the quest for designation of more land and sea realms for protection. The boosting trend of designating more sites of protection has been noticed in the last years in the world. The area that could be designated as protected to balance the economic pressures is becoming scarce.Identified key challenges in this sector have been mainly broad down as follows.Environmental ChallengesToday the challenges in this sector have been identified materialize in all ends by means of out the world. Therefore subjugate of environmental threats challenges is on the airImproper Land Use Planning Inappropriate planning of usage of LandDepreciation of woods Cover (Deforestation) Reduction of remaining forestsLand Deprivation ( Soil Erosion, River Sedimentation Desertification,)Insufficiency of Drinking Water to the humansEnvironmental Pollution (Air, Water Soil )Loss of Biodiversity ( Degradation and deprivation of internal Habitats )Ozone Layer ReductionGreen House Gas Emission and Climate ChangeNatural Disasters and Earth SlidesLack of Responsibility towards Values Accounting of EnvironmentIncreasing risk to rare speciesUnsound forethought of Natural ResourcesUnsustainable Development Activities (Unsuitable Agriculture Expansion and Settlements)Misuse of sea coral reef and inland commonwealth mining.Uncontrolled Mining of Sand and other MineralsSpread of Alien/ insidious SpeciesIntroduction of Genetically Modified OrganismsHard, unsafe and Industrial Waste generationwellness Hazards Related to Environment Pollution.Wildlife reductionIn the context of the above unbeatable challenges human beings have been more more victims of the nature. As an example Tsunami 2004, damaged generally southeast Asian countries. Therefore it should be the one and only challenge where all nations fight for.From from the Eighteenth century to the Twentieth globally known practices regulations have been imposed. International conventions, protocols treaties on environments have been powering bodies of this.International radiation patterns, Protocols Treaties on Environment conference on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (971) prescript concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) traffic pattern on International Trade in Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)Convention on the conservation Of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS 1979)United Nations Convention on The Law Of the SeaVienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)Basel Convention on the throw of Trans boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989)Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)United Nations Convention To Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought And / Or Desertification, particularly In Africa (1994)International Plant Protection ConventionInternational Convention for the Preservation of Pollution of the Sea by OilConvention on the Continental ShelfConvention on the high seasInternational Convention on Civil obligation for Oil pollution DamageInternational Convention Relating to intervention on the high seas in cases of oil pollutions casualtiesThe International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from the ships (MARPOL)- 1973Bio guard Protocol ( Cartagena)Stockholm convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)Key Challenges for Sri LankaLand Deprivation Due to Soil ErosionAg riculture the study contributor to the Sri Lankan GDP is affected by the degradation of land due to land. From the total lands usable Land area is about 31% only . Production based on Land to GDP has declined to 18% compared to 26% in 1978, due to expand action of the economy. Many agricultural practices of past and present have sign upd the productive capacity of soil and land in the country.Some direct and indirect factors, that add to soil erosion, are Traditional cultivation Methods ( Chena cultivation)Insecure land occupancy with alteration of cultivation methods also causes ruin of land because land is broken down to number of plots without considering the conservation measures.The change magnitude rate of clearing forestry cover.Some of the crops cultivation in the hill country such as potatoes, tobacco and vegetables has led to severe erosion. exuberant developments on infrastructure.Reduction of Coastal ResourcesSri Lankan beaches are blessed by coastal resources where e cological processes of both land and maritime environments become interlinked and are influenced by human activities.Minus impacts on the coastal resources includeErosion of coastal area (about 1 meter per year) due to river daming, sand mining, collection of coral rubble and remotion of coastal vegetation)Reduction of flood buffering capacity of mangroves, in lagoons.Removal f coral reefs as a result of human activities and increased sea temperature. un subtle fishing practices.Infrastructure construction.Loss of BiodiversityLoss of biodiversity is due to several pressures arising from the following activitiesPopulation increase and conversion to other land usesRemoval of materials/species from the wild disputation between foreign species and native speciesLack of on a lower floorstanding of scientific oversightUnder-valuation of biodiversityInequity in ownership, in balance distribution of benefits to communityLegal and institutional systems that promote activities detrimental to biodiversity conservationEnvironmental interlinking system known as Bio diversity is mainly reduced due to ruining of natural eco system, loss of genetic species material.Waste DisposalNumber one conflict in Sri Lanka is today the waste counseling. Especially urban areas are fill with waste. Lack of causement of the authorizing bodies and also the human behavior and attitude towards the waste disposal is very poor in main city limits. This risk has cause major health issues where number of community has been killed by dengue recent months. Although legion(predicate) talks waste disposal is not only a governments duty. Government can utensil policies formalize but the governing agencies has to over see the practical situations. Community has a major responsibility towards the solid disposals. Risk arises in the area where hospitals industries located. brass agencies has major issue on lack of resources to overcome tones of waste mountain management. On the other hand du ring the rainy days urban areas are flooded within seconds due to poor waste management methods block of drainage system. This also causes pollution of ground water and natural habitats. Major issue is facilitating bird louse breeding such as mosquitoesInland water PollutionMisuse of agro chemical fertilizers has polluted inland water ponds, reservoirs, streams and rivers. Sri Lanka is proud on having man make reservoirs where most world-wide engineers are surprised by the ancient technology we owned. Development in the industrial sites urban areas has caused water pollution in many ways.Recent International Conventions, Protocols Treaties on EnvironmentVienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)Basel Convention on the Control of Trans boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989)Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( 1992)United Nations Convention To Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought And / Or Desertification, particularly In Africa (1994)International Plant Protection ConventionInternational Convention for the Preservation of Pollution of the Sea by OilConvention on the Continental ShelfConvention on the high seasInternational Convention on Civil Liability for Oil pollution DamageInternational Convention Relating to intervention on the high seas in cases of oil pollutions casualtiesThe International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from the ships (MARPOL)- 1973Bio safety Protocol ( Cartagena)Stockholm convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)Role of governmentBy reasoning out the convention and protection of environmental issues it is the issue governments who has important role in this context. insurance making to the powering agencies educating community many more activities lies on them.Internationaly most of the developing countries h as imposed rules on clean environment. subject field government can impose rules policies while provincial authorities can practically implement the good environmental practices.International monitoring agencies also playing major role by funding environmentally sound projects. This has been the practice and it has been added to the accounting practices where feasibility reports are combine to a sustainability reporting. Environment protection is another important role where governments responsibility is to codify laws regarding pollution, convention and sustainable uses of natural resources. As the funding agent for low enforcement there role is immensely crucial.Though broad technical measures are been world spread on climate change global warming individual countries can contribute on their own to reduce the impact. Alternate energy generation projects are the new industrial practices which add numerous values to the enviromental issues. Now developing countries urge to buy c arbon ascribe from poor countries where new economical intangible market has been created. This has lead to huge cash generation project, where timber plantation forestry cover of one acre would approximately knuckle downstairs US dollars 1000/ per year or so. Therefore ultimate governance lies on global interconnection of the countries.Developing risk management strategies are the other responsibility to a government where major natural disasters can be overcome by minimum damage to the community. Earth slides, floods, volcanoes, hurricanes other natural disasters can be estimated by professional bodies and necessary steps could be downstairstaken. As an example taking hurricanes the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) The strongest hurricanes in the present climate may be upstaged by even more intense hurricanes over the next century as the earths climate is warmed by increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.USA is harshly criticized b y the nations on emission of green house gases in the atmosphere. Common example is USA failed to respond to the Katrina Hurricane wrought on New Orleans poor management plan for the natural disaster also illustrates the risk management strategies are very poor.Considering Sri Lanka though there were many issues lining and transforming after Tsunami disaster is some what appealing to the western world. By proper strategies imposed on natural disaster Sri Lanka too can win this unbeatable challenges within few years. Though we are blessed with the tropical climate our responsibility towards the environment is not linear. As an example compare to other countries we have comprehensive legal system on coastal zone management laws alone, to safe guard coastal resources. But the appreciable improvement has not bought due to lack of political will on taking effective mechanisms required for implementing and monitoring such laws.Sustainable Way ForwardOn the challenges Sri Lanks is facing through out there have been various community programs social activities going forward. While been a friend to the environment nation can be build in economically viable too. In the context of these ideas following programs has been imposed by the ministry of Environment.Pilisaru Waste Management programmePiyakaru Purawara Green Cities computer programmeRan Derana ProgrammeGaja Mithuro ProgrammeWana Senasuna ProgrammeHaritha Gammana Eco Village ProgrammeJeewa Jawaya ProgrammeDewa Jawaya ProgrammeHaritha Niyamu ProgrammeHela Thuru Viyana ProgrammeMajor Policies Developed by the MinistryWhile urging towards the programs Sri Lankan government has imposed practical national policies aiming sustainabilityNational Environment polity 2003This aims to promote sound management of Sri Lankas environment balancing the needs for social and economic development and environment reliability. It also aims to manage the environment by combining together the activities, interests and perspectives of stakeholders and to assure environmental accountability.National Forestry Policy 1995This gives the clear direction to protect remaining natural forests of the country in order to conserve biodiversity, soil and water resources. The forests under the law enforcement of the Forest Department is being reclassified and placed under four management systems ranging from strict conservation, non-extractive use, management of multiple use forests for sustainable production of wood and management of forests with community participation.The National Policy on Wild Life Conservation 2000The form _or_ system of government urge the commitment of the government to conserve wildlife resources through promoting conservation, following ecological processes and life sustaining systems, managing genetic diversity and ensuring sustainable utilization and sharing of equitable benefits arising from biodiversity. It vehemence the need for effective protected area management with the participatio n of local communities.National Air Quality Management Policy 2000The purpose of this policy is to maintain good air quality to reduce morbidity due to air pollution and in turn reduce national health expenditures.National washbowl Management Policy 2004Policy aims to conserve, protect, rehabilitate, sustainably use and manage the watersheds while managing their environment characteristics with the submitment of people.Cleaner Production Policy 2004The objective of this policy is to combine the cleaner production concept and practices into all development sectors of the country. To implement the policy sectoral policies were developed for health and tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism.National Biosafety Policy 2005The policy on biosafety set the overall framework in which adequate safety measures will be developed and put into force to understate possible risks to human health and the environment while extracting maximum benifits fro m any potential that modern bio technology may offer.National Air Quality Management Policy 2000The purpose of this policy is to maintain good air quality to reduce morbidity due to air pollution and in turn reduce national health expenditures.National Policy on Wetlands 2005This policy seeks to give effect to National Environment Policy and other relevant national policies, while respecting national commitments towards relevant global conventions, protocols, treaties and agreements to which Sri Lanka is a party.National Policy on Sand as a Resource for the Construction Industry 2006This policy statement reflects Sri Lankas constitutional, international and national obligations, including the Mines and Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992, the National Environmental Act of 1980, the Coast Conservation Act of 1981 and other relevant legislation, regulations and policy statements. This dignifies the effectively manage sand resource on the construction and keeping a better reserve for futur e generations.National Policy on Elephant Conservation 2006Widely knowing conflict of elephants enforced the government to implement this policy. This natural creature interconnected with Sri Lankas history, culture, religions, and even politics that it would be difficult to imagine the island without it. Therefore the present policy was developed to ensure the long-term survival of the elephant in the wild in Sri Lanka through the easing of the human-elephant conflict.National Policy on Solid Waste ManagementTo handle the serious issue of solid waste management ministry recognized the need for a national approach to handle this. Therefore National policy on Solid Waste Management has been prepared to ensure economically feasible environmentally sound solid waste management for the country through provincial and local authorities.This policy focuses on areas to ensure environmental accountability and social responsibility of all waste generators, waste managers and service provider s, to actively involve individuals and all institutions for sound solid waste management practices, to maximize resource recovery with a view to minimize the amount of waste for disposal and to minimize adverse environmental impacts due to waste disposal to ensure health and well being of the people and on ecosystems.Sri Lankan Implementing AgenciesDepartment of Forest ConservationThe Forest Department (FD) was established in 1887. Over the years many initiatives have been taken to minimize the rate of deforestation by effective application of the aliment in the Forest Ordinance.Department of Wildlife ConservationThe Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) was established in 1949 and entrusted with the overall conservation of fauna and flora of the country and the maintenance of its diversity. central Environmental AuthorityThe Central Environmental Authority (CEA) was established in August 1981 under the provisions of the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980, which was lat er amended in 1988 and 2000.Marine Pollution Prevention AuthorityMarine Pollution Prevention Authority contribute to protect the marine environment from ship based and shore based maritime related activity, to comply with International and national obligations by promulgation of laws and regulations. geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB)Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) was established in 1993. It is mainly involved in promoting the conservation and management of the mineral resources of the country. It seeks to ensure that the mineral potential is realized for the benefit of the country and the minerals are extracted in an efficient, safe and environmentally sound way.State Timber CorporationThe State Timber Corporation was incorporated in 1968 under the provisions of State Industrial Corporation Act No. 49 of 1957 for the purpose of extracting timber from the forests, conversion of such timber into sawn timber and finished products, barter of logs, construction of for est roads, operation of timber and firewood sales depots, and manufacture and marketing of any by-products from timber.Sri Lanka Wildlife Trust (WT)The Wildlife Trust of Sri Lanka (WT) is registered as a charitable Trust, in 1991 under the Trust Ordinance No. 1552 and the Code of Intellectual Property Act No. 52 of 1979.ConclusionWhile laws policies imposed, Sri Lankan government is boosted on all the blooming programs. However common conflicts on human nature issues still and prevailing situation in most of the rural areas. What we can think after all the authorites acts imposed?Some of the other issues created by the Convention Protection of Natural forests in Sri Lanka due to poor fund requirements. Therefore government should please the international bodies agencies to gain aid for the environmentally sound projects. Normally it is a norm that Sri Lankan government will not enforce forest conservation if it didnt come under a condition of a grant. But Non government agencie s also impact some of our natural genetic resources by way of many projects developments. Some countries are strict on most of there genetic materials and keep the biodiversity sites under military support. As an example The killing of two Indonesian tribals who tried to repose to COMODO National Park is a popular story to show how they treat the people in biologically valuable sites. But some of the their approach of removing people from the forest and buffer zones are not an applicable option for Sri Lanka.In they recent past it has been noticeable while the laws regulations there people will act on the same manner where there need filled. Governement t therefore can be a practical partner in all ends take part on the conservation protection the environment where immensely keep pressure on the authoriting agencies to inject the attitude to the people.As a country we have to have policies and laws to protect the alienation of forest resources to stop pirating the genetic mater ial, plant serum, plant species or the traditional knowledge. Therefore government should ensure above main objectives before entering into any agreement.Sri Lanka has many more way towards a clean nation. By overcoming spreading challenges on environments Sri Lanka is no sooner be the South Asian Miracle.