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Challenges and Obstacles of Implementing Conservation Projects
Development is a basic human need. Unfortunately most development projects are often perceived as being detrimental to the environment mostly because when development plans are drafted due consideration is not given to environmental issues and concerns. Not surprisingly this often leads to conservationists bringing public pressure against development projects. The downside is that solely obstructing development projects on this basis without suggesting alternative options does more harm than good in the long term. While a large project might get stopped or delayed due to pressure from the environmental lobby, in the interim the authorities and the public continue to meet their development needs by resorting to smaller projects or continuing with "business as usual." Generally the adverse environmental impacts from a single large project can be minimized or mitigated by integrating appropriate conservation measures from the planning stages. Whereas the cumulative impact or net negative effect from a number of widely distributed small projects can be far worse and the problems more widespread than having a single large project. We have seen this clearly in the Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary (BAS) which was one of the sites of our Wetlands Conservation Project. I joined SLWCS in 1998 to work on a plan to conserve the BAS. When we submitted a proposal for its conservation management to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the department asked us to join a steering committee established by the department for the conservation of the BAS. Unfortunately nothing ever happened mainly due to the steering committee members not been able to work through issues such as propriety rights over the project and due to lack of funds, which was pledged but never materialized.
Meanwhile, the continued dumping of garbage into the marsh was used as landfill for unauthorized and illegal construction, while industrial effluents continued to pollute the canals destroying most of the aquatic life. All of this degradation of a once pristine marsh happened despite the fact that funds had been passed to establish sanitary landfills in the greater Colombo area. Ironically the landfills were stopped by legal action by parties who were concerned about their impacts on the environment of Greater Colombo. So, as a result the degradation of the Bellanwila Attidiya Sanctuary which is located in Greater Colombo continued with impunity! Eight years later, in 2006 the DWC asked us to conduct a study to assess the conservation potential of the BAS. By this time the sanctuary had lost most of its biodiversity, was highly polluted, extensively colonized by invasive species, and lost a considerable area to illegal encroachment. We had to therefore inform the DWC that without applying costly intensive wetlands restoration and conservation measures BAS cannot be saved. The only other option is to just maintain the BAS in its present condition to provide green space. We recommended the Bandaragama Wetlands as an alternative site for a sanctuary even though it does not have the same diversity or proximity to Colombo as that of the BAS.
The SLWCS has always followed a policy of engagement and working WITH rather than AGAINST or FOR development agencies. The Saving Elephants by Helping People project and other subsidiary projects such as the Coast/Wetlands Conservation by Helping People projects and Project Orange Elephant exemplify this approach to conservation. Through these projects we have piloted concepts to show that development and conservation projects can work together in symbiosis developing their own synergies and why rural communities and field research is crucial to achieve this level of integration.
One of the key issues we have faced when working with government departments such as the Mahaweli Authority and the Seruvila Management Authority is that they perceive us negatively due to the actions of some of the other conservation organizations and environmental activists who have a nihilist attitude towards all development projects. Due to these reasons we have to spend a considerable amount of time convincing these institutions that we have the integrity and the credibility to suggest actions which are beneficial to all parties, and that we give serious consideration to community aspirations, environmental conservation, sustainable development and research needs when planning our conservation strategies. As a result of our growing involvement with development agencies we are now facing the issue where some conservation organizations and individuals are accusing us of "selling out." This means we now have to spend more resources trying to engage with all of these parties so that they can understand the need to work with development organizations. All of these issues and concerns that are an impediment to environmental conservation and sustainable development can be very easily resolved by creating national policies that encourage public private partnerships. The biggest drawback has been the stubborn reluctance of government departments and even ministries to develop such policies that would allow public private partnerships. Which is unfortunate since such partnerships would contribute tremendously towards creating a more conducive environment where scientists, conservationists and development planners can work together than against.
It is essential that we adopt a landscape approach to conservation and development. Understanding the Geo-spatial complexities and interwoven nature of environmental, social, political, technological, and financial facets is essential for long term sustainability.
While the period under review (2006-2008) has seen SLWCS focus more on development than in previous years, this experience has made us realize how important our principles and philosophy of conservation by helping communities is critical to the success of these endeavors. In all we completed 4 major projects and have 11 projects which are ongoing, along with 2 consultancies, 5 planned projects and a number of facilitation programs (assisting other conservation organisations and conservationists).
In 2009 we will continue to engage with communities and development agencies while conducting pioneering research such as our Elephant ID and eleAlert systems which will be world firsts and form an integral part of our toolbox for ensuring long term conservation. Within the last 3 years we have presented at 13 international and local forums and attended numerous workshops and training programs. We have also been showcased in 2 Animal Planet documentaries and 3 documentaries produced by French, German and Asian documentary production companies.
