Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Thursday, 3 December 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has taken steps to join hands with private sector organisations to deploy coastal pollution preventers to protect endangered coastlines is in line with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision for prosperity and splendour.
State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa participated in the event to sign up MoUs with private sector organisations to mark President’s first anniversary in office and the implementation of vision for prosperity and splendour.
Speaking at the ceremony Dr. Godahewa requested more and more companies participate in awareness creating initiatives to help prevent marine pollution. While thanking companies which have come forward to join hands with MEPA, the State Minister mentioned that more citizens and organisations will be keen to join this national endeavour when more awareness is created. Dr. Godahewa also ensured that his Ministry will intervene to rope in more State agencies to synergise this endeavour jointly by MEPA and the private sector. The objective of this program is deploying coastal pollution preventers to clean the coastline on a daily basis in order to ensure cleanliness. The conservationists are selected from local low income families and they are entitled to receive a monthly payment for performing their duties. They also can boost their income levels by handing selected collected items for recycling.
MEPA has partnered with Samurdhi Development Department in order to select the pollution prevention from low income families of the area through a MoU. MEPA intends to deploy coastal pollution preventers in 200 coastlines in 2021.
Sri Lanka’s coastline is about 1,700 km and its marine region is more than eight times the size of its landmass. Coastline of Sri Lanka has sandy beaches, rich marine ecosystems and as a result fisheries and tourism have become two key industries. These two industries also play a vital role in the economy. However due to harmful and non-sustainable human activities have caused numerous negative impacts for both fisheries and tourism industries.
Based on the research conducted by local and international bodies, 90% of the marine pollution is caused by human activities along the coast line and the river banks. MEPA established through the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008 is mandated to prevent marine pollution.
MEPA has taken several measures and programs to ensure Sri Lanka’s vast marine region is conserved and protected since its formation. Deploying coastal pollution preventers to clean the coastline is another such MEPA initiative.
