by Commander Bhanu Abeygunawardhana
Published on Ceylon Today on 20th December 2024.
Sri Lanka (SL) is an island deep within the tropics in Northern latitudes. Also, SL has about 1,340 km of coastline around the country and it is rich with a significant coastal ecosystem. Also, SL is located in the Southern part of the Bay of Bengal and the country’s Western coast is open to the Arabian Sea whilst the Eastern coast of the country is open to the Bay of Bengal. Furthermore, the intersection linked with the land and sea is known as the coastal area, and it is made up of many landforms found along the shore. In contrast, the coastal region around SL has a unique coastal ecosystem which consists of cliffs, spit, caves, dunes, stacks, tombolo, natural arch, lagoons, bays, beaches, river estuaries and many more coastal formations which drive the very sensitive coastal ecosystem. Moreover, the country’s coastal area is close to a rich natural base, including mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds that sustain coastal fisheries. In particular, the coastal ecosystem of SL contributes in various ways to the country’s economy and sustainable environmental phenomenon. However, human and ecological systems in coastal areas are seriously at risk from sea level rise, temperature rises, ocean acidification, coastal flooding, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. On the other hand, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has illustrated that rising sea surface temperatures (SST) with ocean acidification shall affect the frequency, intensity and huge impacts of valuable coral bleaching activities and fish harvest. Importantly, it is observed that due to the geographical location in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the vast sea area of the country has dense marine traffic throughout the year. For instance, as per the SLPA annual report (2022), it was calculated that approximately 40,000 merchant ships pass through the SL waters annually, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and numerous hazardous chemical-carrying merchant ships.
Significance of Coastal Ecosystems in SL
In particular, as indicated in OECD Environment Policy Paper No. 24, coastal zones are very important economic contributors and cultural centres, due to areas which provide a home for approximately 40 per cent of the global population. Furthermore, the beach links the land and ocean which is mainly divided into various landforms, such as offshore, near-shore, foreshore, backshore and coastal terrain as indicated in the figure shown below.
(http://geophile.net/Lessons/coasts/coasts_01.html)
Importantly, the people and ecosystems of Earth are intertwined in a vast and intricate interdependence. In particular, ecosystems provide us with life, but our utilisation and care of them also determine their ability to remain healthy. Moreover, the coastal ecosystem of the SL is also, significant for the country’s national security in terms of economic security, food security, health security and environmental security. In addition, different types of ocean circulation, currents, gyres, tidal streams, and swell in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea from either side of the country affect coastal ecosystem periodically along with monsoon winds. For instance, SL as a developing island nation and economy is significantly dependent on coastal resources. In particular, Coastal tourism is one of the highest contributors to the country’s GDP.
Moreover, the country’s coastal area offers space for a living variety of flora and fauna which are important for the sustainable ecosystem. Also, as explained by Juliet Blum and Dorothée Herr from IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme, the coastal ecosystem reduces the vulnerability of coastal populations to hazards by acting as barriers and wave breakers, as well as acting as valuable nursery grounds for the fish species by offering vitamins and minerals, shelter, and safeguarding from predators. The shallow seabed in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay bounded to Northern SL has a significant biosphere which is rich with a variety of seagrasses. Indeed, this area is very vulnerable when considering the SL coastal ecosystem since the particular area provides the breeding ground for many fish species including migrated fish. On the other hand, the coastal ecosystem of the country plays a vital role in turtle nesting as well. Overall, the coastal ecosystem of the country is significant for its environmental balance and sustainable economy.
Challenges for Coastal Ecosystem in SL
The coastal zone (CZ) is a dynamic and heavily used location where unsustainable development practices can have serious negative effects. The coastal belt of SL is frequently already feeling the effects of climatic stresses. In particular, at present various coastal areas of the country are directly facing challenges due to seawater flooding and upper streaming through rivers and it affects the fulfilment of drinking water requirements and farming, threatening health security. The figure shown below indicates the effects of ocean flooding on Galle Road (http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=56431) ;
It is important to highlight that global fishery resources have moved due to the average SST rising during the last 30 years. The SL fishing community has also been experiencing a decreasing fishing harvest which affects the country’s food security while making tangible socioeconomic issues within the vast fishing community. Conversely, coral reefs of the planet have catastrophically collapsed as a result of these rising ocean temperatures in 1998, 2010, and 2015, with repercussions for food supply including the life pattern of the coastal communities. Moreover, the weather patterns on Earth are greatly impacted by El Niño and La Niña, damaging coastal ecosystems including in SL.
In particular, SL coastal communities face several climate-related risks, such as the loss of land due to erosion and submergence, which has already resulted in relocation. Similarly, extreme weather events like cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea cause damage to the built environment. Furthermore, unsustainable development activities including overfishing, coral mining, and building infrastructure in environmentally sensitive locations in SL, interact with climate stresses. More specifically, unsustainable methods have created detrimental effects on coastal areas of SL, for decades, causing pollution, erosion, habitat loss and fragmentation, and environmental deterioration. In comparison, it was observed that, sometimes the field of CZ management and coastal engineering in SL, does not scientifically consult effectively for sustainable developments. It is experiencing frequent sediment deposition in manmade harbour basins, unexpected erosions in coastal belts and deposition of sediments in some coastal engineering works. More importantly, mangrove fields of the country have substantial challenges due to damage to them and it has negatively impacted the coastal ecosystem. Furthermore, the mangrove space provides a breeding ground for several marine species, including migrated fish species and aquatic life.
In addition, Mangroves and Coral reefs are great barriers and control energetic sea waves which can damage the coastal ecosystem of the country. Importantly, the southern coastal belt of the country has experienced negative impacts of coral mining, sand mining on beaches, and the removal of mangroves during the tsunami disaster that occurred in 2004. When considering the environmental issues resulting from the sunken merchant vessel X-Press Pearl off Colombo, the country is at high risk if any distress happens for the bulk of crude oil carrying a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). On the other hand, due to the right of innocent passage as per the UNCLOS III and Traffic Separation Scheme (TSC) located very close to SL, ships sail closer to the coastal area of the country. However, in case of any distress to the VLCC, chemical and nuclear-carrying ship its effects and damage to the coastal ecosystem of the country will become intangible.
Ways and Means to Efficient Management of Coastal Ecosystem in SL
More specifically, human well-being and economic progress will largely depend on our capacity to manage ecosystems effectively in a sustainable way. In particular, there should be a leading stakeholder who can combat and guarantee efficient management of the coastal ecosystem along with the key stakeholders who are important when combatting for guaranteeing the efficient management of the coastal ecosystem of the country. Also, it is required to expand the ongoing coral replanting and mangrove planting programme to a mass scale with the support of government as well as non-government organisations (NGOs) to protect highly sensitive coral species and coastal ecosystems. In addition, the further establishment of turtle hatcheries in liaison with related stakeholders and avoiding erosions in the coastal area are important to protect the life cycle of turtles.
Similarly, concerning prompt response and mitigating maritime hazards within SL waters, stakeholders must formulate a sound and strong coordination plan along with regional partners for effective and efficient response to oil spill and chemical spill response and management. Furthermore, SLN and MEPA have to play key roles in executing the National Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NOHSCP) along with other stakeholders when the situation demands. Further, coastal protection is integrally linked to CZ management, specifically shoreline management. In contrast, the following guidelines should be included while providing expertise knowledge and required data for related stakeholders, when considering the SL, CZ management;
Also, related stakeholders can undertake mapping and monitoring of the coastal ecosystem using real-time satellite imageries, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing, to monitor and map the behaviour of the coastal ecosystem, identify phenomena of the coastal ecosystem, identify threats for it and do predictions in order to sustainably managing the coastal ecosystem of the country. Furthermore, the following areas are significant when using satellite imageries GIS and Remote Sensing technology to study and analyse threats to the coastal ecosystem;
It is important to highlight that the unavailability of centralised command and control connecting all related stakeholders has a major impact on strengthening the sustainable coastal ecosystem in SL and it is affecting the national security of the country in terms of health, human, economic and environmental security. Finally, it is necessary to intimate the mandatory requirement of establishing a centralised command and decentralised execution within all stakeholders responsible for strengthening and protecting of coastal ecosystem in the country to share resources effectively and efficiently for initiating prompt actions to strengthen the coastal ecosystem of the country.
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* Commander Bhanu Abeygunawardena is a Military Research Officer at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premier think tank on National Security established under the Ministry of Defence. The opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily reflective of the institute or the Ministry of Defence.